Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Stock Position Boosted by Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd.

Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 1.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 18,042 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 206 shares during the quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd.’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $4,132,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Point72 Asset Management L.P. increased its stake in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 252,846 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 357.9% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 261,221 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $48,308,000 after purchasing an additional 204,178 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 408.2% during the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 140,561 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $25,994,000 after purchasing an additional 112,902 shares in the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 102.0% during the 3rd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 210,926 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $48,304,000 after purchasing an additional 106,517 shares during the period. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter worth $18,031,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 0.5 %

NYSE:UHS opened at $187.40 on Friday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $207.54 and its 200 day moving average price is $208.13. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.46, a PEG ratio of 0.61 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $147.33 and a 1-year high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued 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). The business had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. Universal Health Services’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.55 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 5.32%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently weighed in on UHS. KeyCorp started coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 11th. They set a “sector weight” rating for the company. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. 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 report on Wednesday, September 4th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price target on the stock. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $225.50.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total transaction of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at $1,123,770.85. The trade was a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.