Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS Shares Bought by Van ECK Associates Corp

Key Points

• Van ECK Associates sharply increased its Universal Health Services stake by 852.7% in the second quarter, bringing its holdings to 45,389 shares worth approximately $6.75 million. Institutional investors collectively own 86.05% of UHS.
• UHS reported quarterly earnings of $5.98 per share, slightly exceeding estimates, while revenue rose 8.3% year over year to $4.64 billion. Analysts project full-year earnings of $23.01 per share.
• Analyst sentiment remains cautious, with a consensus “Hold” rating and a $204.93 price target after several firms lowered their targets. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, representing a 0.5% yield.

Van ECK Associates Corp raised its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 852.7% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 45,389 shares of the health services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 40,625 shares during the quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp owned approximately 0.08% of Universal Health Services worth $6,749,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of UHS. Blair William & Co. IL raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 4.1% during the 4th quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 1,390 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $303,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 3.3% during the third quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,794 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $367,000 after buying an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Triad Wealth Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.4% in the first quarter. Triad Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,858 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $333,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the period. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 20,595 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $4,490,000 after buying an additional 65 shares during the period. Finally, IFM Investors Pty Ltd grew its position in Universal Health Services by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltd now owns 11,781 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $2,568,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Universal Health Services stock opened at $167.90 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $162.63 and a 200 day moving average price of $172.22. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $140.08 and a 1 year high of $246.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.12. The company has a market cap of $9.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.84, a PEG ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 1.06.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.98 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.94 by $0.04. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.39% and a net margin of 8.42%.The firm had revenue of $4.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.58 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $5.35 EPS. Universal Health Services's revenue for the quarter was up 8.3% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 23.01 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 1st. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 3.26%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have issued reports on UHS shares. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Universal Health Services from $212.00 to $191.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $179.00 to $168.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a "sector perform" rating and set a $183.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, August 20th. Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $204.00 to $166.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on Universal Health Services from $242.00 to $190.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $204.93.

About Universal Health Services

Universal Health Services, Inc NYSE: UHS is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS's facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.

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