Meeder Asset Management Inc. Grows Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Meeder Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 81.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 13,087 shares of the health services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 5,856 shares during the quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc.'s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $2,997,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Huntington National Bank lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 414.3% during the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the second quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $43,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.6 %

Shares of UHS stock traded down $1.15 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $196.79. The stock had a trading volume of 884,582 shares, compared to its average volume of 681,618. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $133.70 and a 12-month high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The firm's 50-day moving average is $220.04 and its two-hundred day moving average is $206.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.75 by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The firm's revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.55 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the health services provider to reacquire up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically a sign that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. StockNews.com lowered Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, November 9th. Stephens reiterated an "equal weight" rating and set a $200.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. KeyCorp began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 11th. They issued a "sector weight" rating on the stock. Finally, Bank of America began coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $223.00 price target for the company. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $231.14.

About Universal Health Services

Universal Health Services, Inc, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates acute care hospitals, and outpatient and behavioral health care facilities. It operates through Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Care Services segments. The company's hospitals offer general and specialty surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics, emergency room care, radiology, oncology, diagnostic and coronary care, pediatric services, pharmacy services, and/or behavioral health services.