Daiwa Securities Group Inc. Has $1.20 Million Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Daiwa Securities Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 8.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,497 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 491 shares during the quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc.’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,201,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 6.2% during the 2nd quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. now owns 30,690 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $5,676,000 after buying an additional 1,785 shares during the period. Choreo LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $250,000. Oak Thistle LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $261,000. Mount Lucas Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,174,000. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 308.9% in the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 6,870 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $1,266,000 after purchasing an additional 5,190 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $232.56 on Monday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $119.90 and a 12-month high of $241.95. The stock has a market cap of $15.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.71, a P/E/G ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The business’s 50 day moving average is $213.93 and its 200-day moving average is $190.25.

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

Universal Health Services declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, July 24th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the health services provider to purchase up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.34%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 6.78%.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total value of $180,293.50. Following the sale, the director now owns 1,985 shares in the company, valued at approximately $421,038.35. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 sale, the director now owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at approximately $864,248.44. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total value of $180,293.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 1,985 shares in the company, valued at approximately $421,038.35. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 21,970 shares of company stock worth $4,653,535 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently issued reports on UHS. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $255.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $182.00 to $186.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. Baird R W upgraded Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 26th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $224.92.

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.