Sunbelt Securities Inc. Invests $69,000 in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Sunbelt Securities Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 302 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $69,000.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 14.1% during the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 2,303 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $426,000 after buying an additional 285 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in shares of 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 during the period. Raymond James & Associates raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 6.3% during the second quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 25,363 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $4,690,000 after acquiring an additional 1,497 shares in the last quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 0.7% in the second quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 66,677 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $12,331,000 after acquiring an additional 492 shares during the period. Finally, LRI Investments LLC boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 19.5% in the second quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 386 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $71,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of UHS stock opened at $187.40 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $12.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $147.33 and a one year high of $243.25. The company’s 50-day moving average is $207.54 and its 200 day moving average is $208.56.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates 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 firm had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.55 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In related 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 value of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This trade represents a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UHS has been the subject of several research analyst reports. KeyCorp began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 11th. They issued a “sector weight” rating for the company. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 25th. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on 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. 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. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $225.50.

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.