Scientech Research LLC Has $348,000 Stock Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Scientech Research LLC lifted its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 5.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,880 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 92 shares during the period. Scientech Research LLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $348,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. grew its position in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter valued at $35,000. Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth $36,000. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UHS has been the topic of several research reports. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $183.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Monday, September 9th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $224.92.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS opened at $229.01 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The stock has a market cap of $15.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.28. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $225.91 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $195.10. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $119.90 and a 1 year high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.37 by $0.94. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.22% and a return on equity of 14.91%. The business had revenue of $3.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.87 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.53 EPS. Universal Health Services’s quarterly revenue was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.35%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 3rd. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is presently 6.78%.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has initiated a share buyback program on Wednesday, July 24th that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the health services provider to reacquire up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally an indication that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at $864,248.44. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at approximately $864,248.44. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total transaction of $531,209.25. Following the sale, the director now owns 6,413 shares in the company, valued at $1,343,844.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 21,970 shares of company stock worth $4,653,535. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

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.