ING Groep NV Cuts Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

ING Groep NV decreased its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 67.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 17,752 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 36,778 shares during the period. ING Groep NV's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $4,065,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,099,282 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $1,295,335,000 after purchasing an additional 57,036 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 486,438 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $89,957,000 after buying an additional 2,620 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 362.3% in the 2nd quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 322,626 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $59,663,000 after acquiring an additional 252,846 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 357.9% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 261,221 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $48,308,000 after acquiring an additional 204,178 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its position in Universal Health Services by 1,191.8% during the first quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 215,215 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $39,267,000 after acquiring an additional 198,555 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE UHS traded up $0.68 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $201.69. 763,805 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 680,765. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.41, a PEG ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.29. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $132.74 and a 52-week high of $243.25. The company's 50-day moving average is $221.18 and its 200-day moving average is $205.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results 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). Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The company had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.55 earnings per share. Universal Health Services's revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the health services provider to buy up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically a sign that the company's board believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently commented on UHS shares. StockNews.com cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, November 9th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Barclays boosted their price target on Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Six 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 stock. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $231.14.

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.