Assenagon Asset Management S.A. Boosts Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Key Points

• Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 119.5%, owning 241,164 shares worth approximately $43.7 million after acquiring an additional 131,305 shares in Q2.
• The company reported Q2 earnings of $5.35 EPS, exceeding estimates by $0.50, and generated revenue of $4.28 billion, a 9.6% increase year-over-year.
• Universal Health Services declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, with a dividend yield of 0.4%, and has set FY 2025 EPS guidance between 20.000-21.000.

Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 119.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 241,164 shares of the health services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 131,305 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. owned 0.37% of Universal Health Services worth $43,687,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. Sentry Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 49.3% in the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing 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. Finally, CX Institutional acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $74,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have commented on UHS shares. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $227.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, August 26th. Barclays dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $259.00 to $250.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on Universal Health Services from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on Universal Health Services from $201.00 to $206.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 19th. Finally, Stephens upgraded Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $214.08.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

UHS traded up $0.52 on Friday, hitting $188.63. 1,396,397 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 690,456. The company has a 50 day moving average of $176.70 and a 200-day moving average of $179.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.00 billion, a PE ratio of 9.93, a PEG ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $152.33 and a 12-month high of $243.25.

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 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.85 by $0.50. The business had revenue of $4.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.24 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 7.66% and a return on equity of 18.25%. Universal Health Services's revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $4.31 EPS. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2025 guidance at 20.000-21.000 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.4%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is presently 4.21%.

About Universal Health Services

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.