Tidal Investments LLC Raises Stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Tidal Investments LLC increased its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 208.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 12,100 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 8,171 shares during the period. Tidal Investments LLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $2,771,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. World Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth approximately $21,557,000. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $201,000. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $2,194,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $69,000. Finally, Toronto Dominion Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.0% in the third quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 29,413 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $6,736,000 after purchasing an additional 283 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

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 transaction of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 5,879 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,123,770.85. The trade was a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of UHS stock opened at $187.40 on Monday. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $207.54 and its 200-day simple moving average is $208.56. 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 12-month low of $147.33 and a 12-month high of $243.25. The company has a market cap of $12.36 billion, a PE ratio of 12.46, a PEG ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) 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 analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The business’s revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.55 EPS. Analysts expect 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 disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.43%. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is currently 5.32%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UHS has been the subject of a number of research reports. Barclays boosted their price target on Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 25th. StockNews.com lowered Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, November 9th. Bank of America initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price target for the company. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $225.50.

Universal Health Services 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.