Empowered Funds LLC Trims Stock Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Key Points

• Empowered Funds LLC has decreased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 3.0%, owning 44,707 shares worth approximately $8.4 million after selling 1,384 shares in the first quarter.
• Several institutional investors have adjusted their positions in Universal Health Services, with D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. significantly increasing its holdings by 99.2% during the fourth quarter.
• Universal Health Services recently reported a strong quarterly earnings result, with earnings per share (EPS) of $5.35, exceeding analysts' estimates of $4.85.

Empowered Funds LLC trimmed its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 3.0% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 44,707 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 1,384 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC owned about 0.07% of Universal Health Services worth $8,400,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UHS. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. Sentry Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 49.3% in 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 during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 89.7% in the 1st quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 258 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares during the period. Finally, CX Institutional bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $74,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.5%

NYSE UHS traded up $1.01 on Friday, hitting $191.80. 736,557 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 677,378. 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 stock has a fifty day moving average price of $176.16 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $178.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.10, a P/E/G ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.28. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $152.33 and a 52-week high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 analyst estimates of $4.24 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $4.31 earnings per share. Universal Health Services's quarterly 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. Research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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 Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have weighed in on UHS shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Bank of America lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $215.00 to $185.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. UBS Group set a $227.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price 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. Finally, Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $243.00 to $203.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. 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. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock 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.