Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Buys 102,137 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Key Points

• Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. by 9.0% in the first quarter, owning approximately 1.91% of the company worth $233.31 million.
• The stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" with a consensus target price of $214.15, with five analysts rating it as a Buy, eight as Hold, and one as Sell.
• Universal Health Services announced a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, representing an annualized dividend of $0.80, with a dividend yield of 0.4%.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 9.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,241,738 shares of the health services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 102,137 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned approximately 1.91% of Universal Health Services worth $233,311,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Freestone Grove Partners LP bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at about $41,155,000. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 59.4% during the fourth 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. Twinbeech Capital LP raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 1,151.1% during the fourth quarter. Twinbeech Capital LP now owns 152,454 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $27,353,000 after acquiring an additional 140,268 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 16,935.6% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 138,670 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $26,056,000 after acquiring an additional 137,856 shares during the period. Finally, Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at about $25,555,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.8%

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded up $1.4880 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $185.4380. 627,249 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 961,902. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $152.33 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $174.37 and a 200-day moving average price of $178.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 1.19.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.24 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $4.31 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter 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. Equities analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Universal Health Services from $225.00 to $210.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a 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 stock a "sector perform" rating in a report on Tuesday. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on Universal Health Services from $243.00 to $203.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Universal Health Services from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 4th. Finally, Stephens raised Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, June 2nd. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $214.15.

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.