WBI Investments LLC Reduces Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Key Points

• WBI Investments LLC significantly reduced its stake in Universal Health Services by 65.6%, owning only 1,373 shares after selling 2,622 shares in the first quarter, now valued at approximately $258,000.
• Several institutional investors increased their positions in Universal Health Services, with AQR Capital Management LLC notably raising its stake by 57.8%.
• Universal Health Services reported quarterly earnings of $5.35 per share, exceeding analysts' expectations, and announced a quarterly dividend of $0.20, reflecting a 0.4% dividend yield.

WBI Investments LLC reduced its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 65.6% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,373 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 2,622 shares during the period. WBI Investments LLC's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $258,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 96.6% during the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 38,087 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $7,151,000 after acquiring an additional 18,715 shares in the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 80.6% during the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 2,631 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $494,000 after acquiring an additional 1,174 shares during the last quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 2,768.0% in the 1st quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 4,302 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $808,000 after buying an additional 4,152 shares during the last quarter. MBB Public Markets I LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $334,000. Finally, United Services Automobile Association bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at $235,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Universal Health Services stock traded up $1.16 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $187.42. 150,404 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 828,630. The stock has a market cap of $11.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.89, a P/E/G ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.29. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $152.33 and a 52-week high of $243.25. The firm's 50 day moving average is $176.41 and its 200 day moving average is $178.74.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.35 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.85 by $0.50. The company had revenue of $4.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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 quarterly revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $4.31 EPS. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2025 guidance at 20.000-21.000 EPS. Analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd were issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 2nd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 4.21%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on UHS shares. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $257.00 to $259.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $201.00 to $206.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday. Finally, Robert W. Baird decreased 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 research report on Thursday, August 14th. 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 company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $214.77.

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.