Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board Reduces Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board reduced its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 59.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,661 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 14,088 shares during the period. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $2,212,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter worth $35,000. Huntington National Bank grew its position in Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LRI Investments LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at $43,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

UHS stock traded up $0.65 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $197.44. The company had a trading volume of 1,016,399 shares, compared to its average volume of 683,128. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $133.70 and a 12-month high of $243.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $220.04 and a 200 day moving average price of $206.01. The company has a market capitalization of $13.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.08, a P/E/G ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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). Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The firm had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.90 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.55 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.93 earnings per share for the current year.

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

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.41%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is currently 5.32%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently weighed in on UHS shares. Cantor Fitzgerald restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $219.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Stephens reissued an "equal weight" rating and issued a $200.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Bank of America started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $223.00 price objective on the stock. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $231.14.

Universal Health Services 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.