Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Stock Holdings Boosted by Van ECK Associates Corp

Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 274.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,342 shares of the health services provider's stock after buying an additional 3,182 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,017,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the second quarter worth about $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at about $43,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have issued reports on UHS shares. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Bank of America started coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $223.00 target price for the company. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. Six 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. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UHS traded down $3.37 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $205.19. The company had a trading volume of 165,175 shares, compared to its average volume of 678,472. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $129.34 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The stock has a market cap of $13.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.87, a PEG ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.29. 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 simple moving average is $223.83 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $204.65.

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

Universal Health Services declared that its board has initiated a stock buyback 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 buy up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically an indication that the company's board 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.