Metis Global Partners LLC Sells 284 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Metis Global Partners LLC decreased its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 11.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,094 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 284 shares during the quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $379,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 22.9% during the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 354 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $64,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 2,665 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $501,000 after buying an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 5.5% during the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,432 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $259,000 after buying an additional 75 shares during the period. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 18,244 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $3,295,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC increased its position in Universal Health Services by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 13,328 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $2,504,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total transaction of $852,336.10. Following the transaction, the director owned 8,481 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,893,807.30. This represents a 31.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total transaction of $217,800.50. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 6,113 shares in the company, valued at $1,379,704.10. This trade represents a 13.63% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 16.40% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 1.7%

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $228.28 on Thursday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $152.33 and a 1 year high of $231.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.19. The business’s 50-day moving average is $204.83 and its 200-day moving average is $188.04. The company has a market capitalization of $14.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.84, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.33.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The health services provider reported $5.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.66 by $1.03. The business had revenue of $4.50 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.32 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.47% and a net margin of 8.09%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.71 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently commented on UHS. Bank of America lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating and cut their price target for the stock from $215.00 to $185.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. UBS Group set a $231.00 price target on Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $249.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Weiss Ratings raised Universal Health Services from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $233.20.

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.