Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Stake Lessened by Swiss National Bank

Key Points

• The Swiss National Bank reduced its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. by selling 2,400 shares, bringing its total ownership to 165,600 shares valued at approximately $31.1 million.
• Analysts gave Universal Health Services a consensus rating of "Hold"*, with a target price of $216.54 following varied upgrades and downgrades from several research firms.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, reflecting an annualized dividend yield of 0.5%, to be paid on September 16th to investors on record.

Swiss National Bank lessened its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 1.4% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 165,600 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 2,400 shares during the quarter. Swiss National Bank owned 0.25% of Universal Health Services worth $31,116,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Sentry Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its holdings 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. Federated Hermes Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 89.7% during the first quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 258 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 122 shares in the last quarter. CX Institutional purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth about $74,000. Finally, Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,872.0% during the first quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd now owns 493 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $92,000 after buying an additional 468 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 0.2%

Shares of NYSE UHS traded up $0.28 during trading on Thursday, reaching $178.79. 611,477 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 850,336. The business's 50-day moving average price is $173.85 and its 200 day moving average price is $178.99. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $152.33 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The company has a market capitalization of $11.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.24.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.35 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 business had revenue of $4.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.24 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $4.31 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Investors 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 payout ratio is 4.21%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Bank of America downgraded 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 report on Wednesday, July 16th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price 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. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $257.00 to $259.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Sunday. Finally, Stephens raised shares of Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, June 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $213.77.

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.