Mount Lucas Management LP Has $1.07 Million Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Mount Lucas Management LP trimmed its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 60.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,690 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 7,067 shares during the quarter. Mount Lucas Management LP’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,074,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Financial Management Professionals Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 414.3% during the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $36,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UHS opened at $201.69 on Friday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $132.74 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The company has a market cap of $13.45 billion, a PE ratio of 13.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.29. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $221.18 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $205.36. 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 posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share 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 analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.55 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.93 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services announced that its board has initiated a share 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 reacquire up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often an indication that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently issued reports on UHS. Stephens reiterated an “equal weight” rating and set a $200.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 25th. KeyCorp started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 11th. They issued a “sector weight” rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target 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.