Leuthold Group LLC Sells 287 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Leuthold Group LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 1.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 22,928 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 287 shares during the period. Leuthold Group LLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $5,251,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in UHS. Point72 Asset Management L.P. boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 362.3% during the second quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 322,626 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $59,663,000 after purchasing an additional 252,846 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 357.9% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 261,221 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $48,308,000 after buying an additional 204,178 shares in the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its position in Universal Health Services by 1,191.8% in the first quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 215,215 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $39,267,000 after acquiring an additional 198,555 shares during the period. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth $25,032,000. Finally, Pzena Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 41.2% during the first quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 455,773 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $83,160,000 after acquiring an additional 132,942 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the transaction, the director now owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at approximately $864,248.44. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the company’s 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 $421,038.35. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, 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 value of $749,552.16. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at $864,248.44. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.6 %

UHS opened at $204.00 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $229.55 and a 200 day simple moving average of $201.23. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $121.55 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25. The company has a market cap of $13.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.75 by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. Universal Health Services’s revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.55 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.9 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the health services provider to reacquire up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are often a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently weighed in on UHS. TD Cowen raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their target price for the stock from $220.00 to $283.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Monday, September 9th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $232.46.

About Universal Health Services

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.