BNP Paribas Financial Markets Purchases 1,481 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Key Points

• BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. by 0.8%, now owning 183,013 shares valued at $34.39 million.
• Universal Health Services reported a quarterly EPS of $5.35, exceeding estimates, and saw a 9.6% year-over-year revenue growth with quarterly revenues of $4.28 billion.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, with a payout ratio of 4.21%, to be paid on September 16th to shareholders recorded by September 2nd.

BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 0.8% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 183,013 shares of the health services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 1,481 shares during the quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets owned 0.28% of Universal Health Services worth $34,388,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Ieq Capital LLC lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 117.8% in the 1st quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 30,992 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $5,824,000 after acquiring an additional 16,764 shares in the last quarter. Keeley Teton Advisors LLC lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. Keeley Teton Advisors LLC now owns 10,115 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $1,901,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 50.3% in the 1st quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 11,267 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $2,117,000 after acquiring an additional 3,771 shares in the last quarter. Haverford Trust Co lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 36.6% in the 1st quarter. Haverford Trust Co now owns 4,473 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $840,000 after acquiring an additional 1,199 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AlphaQuest LLC lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 82.2% in the 1st quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 4,306 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $809,000 after acquiring an additional 1,943 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

UHS traded up $3.96 on Thursday, reaching $185.53. The company had a trading volume of 734,716 shares, compared to its average volume of 839,143. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $152.33 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25. The stock has a market cap of $11.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.77, a P/E/G ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.28. The company's fifty day moving average is $175.87 and its 200 day moving average is $178.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.29.

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

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UHS has been the topic of several analyst reports. Bank of America cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and cut their price target for the stock from $215.00 to $185.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. Robert W. Baird lowered their target price on Universal Health Services from $243.00 to $203.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $201.00 to $206.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Universal Health Services from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Finally, Stephens raised Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, June 2nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $214.77.

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.