Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS Shares Sold by Comerica Bank

Key Points

• Comerica Bank has reduced its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) by 20.4%, selling 4,814 shares during the first quarter, resulting in holdings valued at approximately $3.53 million.
• Universal Health Services recently saw a raise in its stock rating from "buy" to "strong-buy" by Wall Street Zen, with other analysts adjusting target prices between $203 and $259.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.20, reflecting a payout ratio of 4.21%, with expectations of posting an EPS of 15.92 for the current fiscal year.

Comerica Bank decreased its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 20.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 18,767 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 4,814 shares during the quarter. Comerica Bank's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $3,526,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at about $30,000. Sentry Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its position in Universal Health Services by 49.3% during the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 89.7% in the first quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 258 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $48,000 after buying an additional 122 shares during the period. Finally, CX Institutional acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $74,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $225.00 to $210.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Universal Health Services from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Stephens raised Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, June 2nd. UBS Group set a $227.00 target price on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on Universal Health Services from $257.00 to $259.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $214.77.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

NYSE:UHS traded up $3.55 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $185.12. 279,513 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 836,073. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $152.33 and a 52 week high of $243.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.75, a P/E/G ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.28. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $175.87 and a 200-day simple moving average of $178.40.

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

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 4.21%.

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.