QRG Capital Management Inc. Raises Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

QRG Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 9.9% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 3,202 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 289 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $733,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in shares of 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 buying an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth approximately $43,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the sale, the director now owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at $864,248.44. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on UHS shares. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Stephens reaffirmed an “equal weight” rating and issued a $200.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Bank of America started coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $207.50 on Friday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $224.42 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $204.08. The stock has a market cap of $13.84 billion, a PE ratio of 13.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $127.43 and a one year high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.55 EPS. Universal Health Services’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback 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 reacquire up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

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.