Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by Olympiad Research LP

Olympiad Research LP trimmed its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 28.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,135 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 447 shares during the period. Olympiad Research LP’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $260,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at about $43,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $864,248.44. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 16.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on UHS shares. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced 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. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Bank of America started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price target for the company. 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 MarketBeat, Universal Health Services has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 2.4 %

NYSE UHS opened at $208.43 on Friday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $127.43 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $225.03 and its 200 day simple moving average is $203.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The company has a market capitalization of $13.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.86, a PEG ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (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 analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.55 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the health services provider to repurchase up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

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.