Russell Investments Group Ltd. Has $20.95 Million Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Key Points

• Russell Investments Group Ltd. reduced its stake in Universal Health Services by 14.6%, selling 19,046 shares and holding 111,485 shares valued at approximately $20.9 million at the end of the last quarter.
• Several institutional investors are active, with Zions Bancorporation and Sentry Investment Management purchasing new stakes and UMB Bank and Federated Hermes significantly increasing their holdings in Universal Health Services.
• Universal Health Services is projected to post $15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year, and analysts maintain an average rating of "Hold" with a target price of $213.77.

Russell Investments Group Ltd. cut its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 14.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 111,485 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 19,046 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned approximately 0.17% of Universal Health Services worth $20,948,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 99.2% in the fourth quarter. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. now owns 12,450 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $2,234,000 after purchasing an additional 6,200 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 30.6% in the fourth quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 12,858 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $2,307,000 after purchasing an additional 3,011 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $1,141,000. Brown Advisory Inc. increased its position in Universal Health Services by 5.4% during the first quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 5,152 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $968,000 after acquiring an additional 264 shares during the period. Finally, CX Institutional bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth about $74,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS traded up $1.52 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $185.47. The company had a trading volume of 118,704 shares, compared to its average volume of 841,655. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $174.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is $178.65. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $152.33 and a 1-year high of $243.25. 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 company has a market capitalization of $11.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.78, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.24.

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 for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.24 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $4.31 EPS. The firm'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. Analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared 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. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 2nd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.21%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Bank of America lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $215.00 to $185.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $201.00 to $206.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Tuesday. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Sunday, August 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target 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. Finally, Stephens raised shares of Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, June 2nd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average 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.