Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Purchases Shares of 26,524 Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 26,524 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $4,984,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Sentry Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth about $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 49.3% in the first quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 89.7% in the first quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 258 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. Huntington National Bank increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 55.6% in the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CX Institutional bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth about $74,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 2.1%

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $162.98 on Friday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $152.33 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $176.95 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $179.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.59 billion, a PE ratio of 8.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 1.23.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.85 by $0.50. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 18.22% and a net margin of 7.66%. The business had revenue of $4.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.24 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $4.31 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 2nd. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is 4.21%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total transaction of $210,053.56. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 7,884 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,509,628.32. The trade was a 12.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 16.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on UHS shares. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their target price on Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Guggenheim started coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $208.00 target price on the stock. UBS Group set a $227.00 target price on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $224.00 target price (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, Stephens raised Universal Health Services to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, June 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $218.92.

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.