Meeder Asset Management Inc. Buys 5,856 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Meeder Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 81.0% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 13,087 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 5,856 shares during the quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $2,997,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings 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 worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Huntington National Bank boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, LRI Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at about $43,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 1.8 %

Shares of UHS stock opened at $197.96 on Tuesday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $133.70 and a 12-month high of $243.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $220.61 and a 200-day moving average of $205.80. The company has a market capitalization of $13.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.16, a P/E/G ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its 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). The firm had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. Universal Health Services’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.55 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase program 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 buy up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on UHS shares. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Bank of America started coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price target on the stock. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. KeyCorp started coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 11th. They issued a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Finally, Stephens restated an “equal weight” rating and set a $200.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Six equities research 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $231.14.

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.