Empowered Funds LLC Purchases 20,652 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Empowered Funds LLC grew its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 541.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 24,469 shares of the health services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 20,652 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $5,604,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% in the 2nd 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 period. Huntington National Bank raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the 3rd 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 bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at about $43,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have issued reports on UHS. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, November 9th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. TD Cowen decreased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $283.00 to $275.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Finally, Bank of America began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report 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 assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of UHS traded down $3.75 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $197.94. 658,032 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 680,681. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $221.18 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $205.60. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $133.70 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The stock has a market cap of $13.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.36, a P/E/G ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.55 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the health services provider to buy up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically an indication that the company's management believes its stock is undervalued.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

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.