Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Bought by Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ

Key Points

• Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ increased its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. by 105.1% in Q1, owning 83,926 shares valued at $15.77 million.
• Universal Health Services reported a quarterly earnings per share of $4.84, exceeding expectations, and had a revenue of $4.10 billion, a 6.7% increase year-over-year.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, set to be paid on September 16th, with a yield of 0.52%.

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ raised its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 105.1% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 83,926 shares of the health services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 43,000 shares during the quarter. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ owned 0.13% of Universal Health Services worth $15,770,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of UHS. Korea Investment CORP raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 81.5% in the fourth quarter. Korea Investment CORP now owns 100,242 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $17,985,000 after acquiring an additional 45,000 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 20.6% during the 4th quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 97,582 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $17,456,000 after acquiring an additional 16,659 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $67,964,000. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,052,000. Finally, Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 18,154 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $3,257,000 after buying an additional 112 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently weighed in on UHS. Baird R W cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Bank of America lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $215.00 to $185.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Robert W. Baird reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $224.00 target price (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $221.85.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 0.4%

NYSE:UHS traded up $0.62 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $163.44. 485,584 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 841,579. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $178.31 and a 200 day simple moving average of $180.24. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $152.33 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The company has a market capitalization of $10.62 billion, a PE ratio of 8.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results 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 18.47%. The firm had revenue of $4.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.24 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $4.31 EPS. Universal Health Services's revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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 issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 2nd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 4.49%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total value of $210,053.56. Following the sale, the director owned 7,884 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,509,628.32. The trade was a 12.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 16.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.