Hsbc Holdings PLC Raises Stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Key Points

• Hsbc Holdings PLC increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 3.4%, owning approximately 0.19% of the company valued at $22,913,000 after acquiring an additional 4,019 shares in the first quarter.
• The stock received various analysts' ratings, with Wall Street Zen upgrading it to a "strong-buy" while other firms adjusted their price objectives, ranging from $185 to $206.
• Universal Health Services recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, reflecting an annualized dividend yield of 0.4%.

Hsbc Holdings PLC increased its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 3.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 122,163 shares of the health services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 4,019 shares during the quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC owned 0.19% of Universal Health Services worth $22,913,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 6.0% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,315,468 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $247,176,000 after acquiring an additional 74,128 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 9.0% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,241,738 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $233,311,000 after acquiring an additional 102,137 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 634,592 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $119,240,000 after acquiring an additional 10,449 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp increased its stake 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 in the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 59.4% during 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 purchasing an additional 219,942 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 1.3%

Shares of NYSE UHS traded down $2.42 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $181.47. The stock had a trading volume of 977,840 shares, compared to its average volume of 899,659. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.33 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 1.19. The company has a market capitalization of $11.55 billion, a PE ratio of 9.56, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.24. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $174.84 and a two-hundred day moving average of $178.42.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.35 earnings per share (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 firm had revenue of $4.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.24 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business 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, equities research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have commented on UHS shares. Stephens upgraded shares of Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Saturday. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $243.00 to $203.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $257.00 to $259.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $225.00 to $210.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $214.77.

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.