Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by American Century Companies Inc.

American Century Companies Inc. trimmed its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 13.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,120,304 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 173,104 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc.’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $207,178,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. VitalStone Financial LLC boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 4,133.3% in the 2nd quarter. VitalStone Financial LLC now owns 1,778 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $329,000 after buying an additional 1,736 shares during the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 8.2% in the 2nd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 6,497 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,201,000 after buying an additional 491 shares during the last quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 6.2% in the 2nd quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. now owns 30,690 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $5,676,000 after buying an additional 1,785 shares during the last quarter. Choreo LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter worth about $250,000. Finally, Oak Thistle LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter worth about $261,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Universal Health Services news, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.85, for a total transaction of $3,192,479.85. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,253 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,107,595.05. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Universal Health Services news, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.85, for a total transaction of $3,192,479.85. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,253 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,107,595.05. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total value of $531,209.25. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 6,413 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,343,844.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 21,970 shares of company stock worth $4,653,535 in the last three months. 16.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Universal Health Services stock opened at $231.36 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $212.89 and its 200 day moving average price is $189.41. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.43 billion, a PE ratio of 19.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.28. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $119.90 and a one year high of $241.95.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.37 by $0.94. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. The firm had revenue of $3.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.87 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.53 EPS. Universal Health Services’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.35%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 6.78%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on UHS shares. TD Cowen lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $183.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Barclays raised Universal Health Services from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $198.00 to $256.00 in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, UBS Group lifted 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. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $224.92.

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.