American Century Companies Inc. Boosts Stock Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Key Points

• American Century Companies Inc. has increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 1.7%, now owning about 0.98% of the company valued at approximately $119.24 million.
• Universal Health Services reported a quarterly earnings per share of $5.35, surpassing expectations and showing 9.6% year-over-year revenue growth with total revenues of $4.28 billion.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, which reflects an annual yield of 0.4% and indicates a conservative payout ratio of 4.21%.

American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 1.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 634,592 shares of the health services provider's stock after buying an additional 10,449 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. owned 0.98% of Universal Health Services worth $119,240,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 33.1% in the 1st quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 84,541 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $15,885,000 after buying an additional 21,022 shares during the period. Aberdeen Group plc grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 117.5% in the 1st quarter. Aberdeen Group plc now owns 28,352 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $5,307,000 after buying an additional 15,318 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 9.0% during 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 purchasing an additional 102,137 shares during the last quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at about $317,000. Finally, Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at about $389,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.3%

NYSE UHS traded down $0.6120 during trading on Thursday, hitting $184.0880. 639,696 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 844,824. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $173.87 and a two-hundred day moving average of $178.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 1.19. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $152.33 and a 12-month high of $243.25. The firm has a market cap of $11.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.69, a PEG ratio of 0.75 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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 analyst estimates of $4.24 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $4.31 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2025 guidance at 20.000-21.000 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current 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 issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. 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 is currently 4.21%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on UHS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Universal Health Services from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Robert W. Baird lowered their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $243.00 to $203.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 14th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $257.00 to $259.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped 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 report on Tuesday. Finally, Bank of America cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $215.00 to $185.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price 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.