AlphaQuest LLC Raises Stock Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Key Points

• AlphaQuest LLC increased its ownership in Universal Health Services, Inc. by 82.2% in the first quarter, holding 4,306 shares valued at approximately $809,000.
• Universal Health Services reported a net margin of 7.66% and earnings per share (EPS) of $5.35 for the last quarter, exceeding analyst expectations.
• The company's recent dividend of $0.20 per share represents an annualized yield of 0.4%, with a payout ratio of 4.21%.

AlphaQuest LLC lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 82.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,306 shares of the health services provider's stock after buying an additional 1,943 shares during the quarter. AlphaQuest LLC's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $809,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 6.0% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,315,468 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $247,176,000 after buying an additional 74,128 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 9.0% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,241,738 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $233,311,000 after buying an additional 102,137 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 634,592 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $119,240,000 after buying an additional 10,449 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 7.6% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 596,280 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $106,985,000 after acquiring an additional 42,088 shares during the period. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 59.4% in the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 590,389 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $105,928,000 after acquiring an additional 219,942 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 0.8%

UHS stock opened at $185.4380 on Monday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $152.33 and a one year high of $243.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.80 billion, a PE ratio of 9.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.29. The company has a fifty day moving average of $174.37 and a 200-day moving average of $178.43.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.35 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.85 by $0.50. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 7.66% and a return on equity of 18.25%. The company had revenue of $4.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.24 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $4.31 EPS. The business's revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2025 guidance at 20.000-21.000 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.4%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is 4.21%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UHS has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $201.00 to $206.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 19th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $257.00 to $259.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Saturday. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $225.00 to $210.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 14th. Finally, Bank of America cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and cut their target price for the company from $215.00 to $185.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $214.15.

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.

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