Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Purchased by R Squared Ltd

Key Points

• R Squared Ltd significantly increased its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. by 1,050%, owning 1,840 shares worth approximately $346,000 after buying an additional 1,680 shares in Q1.
• Analysts' ratings have been mixed, with a current average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $218.92 for the stock.
• Universal Health Services recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, reflecting an annualized yield of 0.5%.

R Squared Ltd grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 1,050.0% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,840 shares of the health services provider's stock after buying an additional 1,680 shares during the quarter. R Squared Ltd's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $346,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sentry Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 49.3% during the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 89.7% during the 1st quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 258 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 55.6% during the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, CX Institutional acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth $74,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total transaction of $210,053.56. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 7,884 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,509,628.32. This trade represents a 12.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 2.1%

NYSE:UHS traded down $3.47 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $162.98. The stock had a trading volume of 1,130,460 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,034,741. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $152.33 and a 1-year high of $243.25. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $176.95 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $179.82. The company has a market cap of $10.59 billion, a PE ratio of 8.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.24.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 18.22%. The company had revenue of $4.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.24 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $4.31 earnings per share. Universal Health Services's revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. 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 declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.21%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. UBS Group set a $227.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Saturday. Baird R W lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Robert W. Baird reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $224.00 price objective (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, Bank of America lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $215.00 to $185.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $218.92.

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.