Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS Shares Acquired by Ieq Capital LLC

Key Points

• Ieq Capital LLC increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 117.8% in the first quarter, holding 30,992 shares valued at approximately $5.8 million at the end of the reporting period.
• Universal Health Services reported a quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of $5.35, exceeding analysts' expectations by $0.50, alongside a revenue of $4.28 billion for the same quarter.
• The company has announced a quarterly dividend of $0.20, set to be paid on September 16th, representing a 0.4% annual yield with a payout ratio of 4.21%.

Ieq Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 117.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 30,992 shares of the health services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 16,764 shares during the period. Ieq Capital LLC's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $5,824,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 6.0% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,315,468 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $247,176,000 after acquiring an additional 74,128 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 9.0% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,241,738 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $233,311,000 after purchasing an additional 102,137 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.7% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 634,592 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $119,240,000 after purchasing an additional 10,449 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp grew its position in Universal Health Services by 7.6% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 596,280 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $106,985,000 after buying an additional 42,088 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 3.5% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 504,804 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $94,853,000 after buying an additional 16,900 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Universal Health Services stock traded up $0.50 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $181.72. The company had a trading volume of 599,453 shares, compared to its average volume of 740,671. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $175.47 and its 200-day simple moving average is $178.36. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $152.33 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 1.19. The company has a market capitalization of $11.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.57, a P/E/G ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.35 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.85 by $0.50. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 18.25% and a net margin of 7.66%.The business had revenue of $4.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.24 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $4.31 EPS. The company's revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2025 guidance at 20.000-21.000 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm 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 $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.4%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is currently 4.21%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently commented on UHS shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada increased 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, August 19th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Universal Health Services from $225.00 to $210.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 14th. Barclays increased their target price on Universal Health Services from $257.00 to $259.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Bank of America downgraded Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and decreased their price target for the company from $215.00 to $185.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $214.77.

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.