MQS Management LLC Trims Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

MQS Management LLC lowered its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 11.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 982 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 129 shares during the quarter. MQS Management LLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $225,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the second quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UHS has been the topic of several research reports. Barclays upped their price objective on Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. UBS Group increased their price target on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. TD Cowen dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $283.00 to $275.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Stephens reiterated an “equal weight” rating and set a $200.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

UHS opened at $201.69 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $13.45 billion, a PE ratio of 13.41, a P/E/G ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $221.18 and a 200-day simple moving average of $205.11. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $132.74 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business’s revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.55 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services announced that its board has authorized a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the health services provider to repurchase up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are generally an indication that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

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.