Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Stock Position Reduced by Olympiad Research LP

Olympiad Research LP cut its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 28.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,135 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 447 shares during the period. Olympiad Research LP’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $260,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Point72 Asset Management L.P. grew its position in Universal Health Services by 362.3% in the second quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 322,626 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $59,663,000 after acquiring an additional 252,846 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP grew its position in Universal Health Services by 357.9% in the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 261,221 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $48,308,000 after acquiring 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 worth $39,267,000 after acquiring an additional 198,555 shares in the last quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth approximately $25,032,000. Finally, Goldentree Asset Management LP bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth approximately $21,378,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on UHS shares. Stephens reissued an “equal weight” rating and issued a $200.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 25th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 28th. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $283.00 to $275.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 28th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

NYSE:UHS opened at $208.43 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $13.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.86, a PEG ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.29. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $127.43 and a one year high of $243.25. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $225.03 and a 200 day moving average price of $203.48. 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 the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The company had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.55 earnings per share. Universal Health Services’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.89 earnings per share for the current year.

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

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 12th. The shares were 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 owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at approximately $864,248.44. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 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.