Empirical Finance LLC Increases Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Empirical Finance LLC raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 5,704 shares of the health services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 64 shares during the quarter. Empirical Finance LLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,306,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at approximately $354,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at $36,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 75,120 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $13,706,000 after acquiring an additional 880 shares in the last quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 16.5% in the first quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 88,190 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $16,091,000 after acquiring an additional 12,516 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 31.1% in the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 75,237 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $13,728,000 after acquiring an additional 17,852 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.3 %

NYSE UHS opened at $201.69 on Friday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $132.74 and a 52-week high of $243.25. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $221.18 and a 200 day moving average price of $205.11. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.45 billion, a P/E 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.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates 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 analysts’ expectations of $3.90 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.55 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.93 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the health services provider to purchase up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently weighed in on UHS shares. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 28th. KeyCorp initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 11th. They issued a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $231.14.

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.