Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS Stake Boosted by KBC Group NV

KBC Group NV increased its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 179.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 151,106 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 96,973 shares during the period. KBC Group NV’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $27,373,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth $30,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 347.6% in the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 188 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 240.0% in the second quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 204 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 89.7% during the first quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 258 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $48,000 after buying an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 22.9% during the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 354 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $64,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total value of $217,800.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 6,113 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,379,704.10. This trade represents a 13.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total value of $852,336.10. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 8,481 shares in the company, valued at $1,893,807.30. The trade was a 31.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 16.40% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Universal Health Services from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, October 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Morgan Stanley set a $233.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $233.87.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of UHS opened at $227.37 on Friday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $205.67 and its 200 day moving average price is $188.32. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.80, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.33. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $152.33 and a 1-year high of $231.37.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The health services provider reported $5.69 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.66 by $1.03. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.09% and a return on equity of 19.47%. The company had revenue of $4.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.32 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.71 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

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.