Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC Makes New Investment in Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Key Points

• Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC has acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) worth approximately $389,000, purchasing 2,071 shares in the first quarter of the year.
• Universal Health Services recently reported earnings per share of $5.35 for the quarter, exceeding analysts' expectations, and has set its FY 2025 guidance at 20.000-21.000 EPS.
• The company also announced a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, indicating a modest dividend yield of 0.4% and a payout ratio of 4.21%.

Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 2,071 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $389,000.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. UMB Bank n.a. grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 49.3% during the first quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 5.9% during the fourth quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,266 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $227,000 after buying an additional 71 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 15,512 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $2,783,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 13,328 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $2,504,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares during the last quarter. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 6.7% in the 1st quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,315 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $247,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Universal Health Services stock traded up $1.4880 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $185.4380. 627,249 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 961,902. 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 market cap of $11.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.24. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $152.33 and a 12-month high of $243.25. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $174.37 and its 200 day simple moving average is $178.50.

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 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 business had revenue of $4.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.24 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $4.31 earnings per share. The business'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. Equities research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business 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 yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 2nd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is presently 4.21%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UHS has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. UBS Group set a $227.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Bank of America downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $215.00 to $185.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on shares of 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. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $225.00 to $210.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of 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. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $214.15.

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.