Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS Shares Bought by Aviva PLC

Aviva PLC increased its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 1,240.4% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 29,729 shares of the health services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 27,511 shares during the period. Aviva PLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $5,385,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth approximately $30,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 347.6% in the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 188 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. Huntington National Bank raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 240.0% in the 2nd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 204 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 144 shares in the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. lifted 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 valued at $48,000 after buying an additional 122 shares during the period. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its stake in 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 buying an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 1.7%

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $228.28 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $204.83 and a 200 day simple moving average of $188.04. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $152.33 and a 52 week high of $231.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.03. The company has a market cap of $14.53 billion, a PE ratio of 10.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.33.

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have commented on UHS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $250.00 to $263.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Raymond James Financial set a $270.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $219.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Guggenheim increased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $253.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $233.20.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total transaction of $852,336.10. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 8,481 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,893,807.30. The trade was a 31.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 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 value of $217,800.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 6,113 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,379,704.10. This represents a 13.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 16.40% of the company’s stock.

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.