Sanders Morris Harris LLC Invests $591,000 in Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Sanders Morris Harris LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 2,890 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $591,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of UHS. KFA Private Wealth Group LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at $296,000. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at about $988,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 19.9% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,095 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $224,000 after purchasing an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 9.1% during the second quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 36,920 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $6,688,000 after purchasing an additional 3,092 shares during the period. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 581.6% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 24,675 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $4,626,000 after purchasing an additional 21,055 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 1.0%

Shares of NYSE UHS opened at $224.90 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 0.96. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $222.43 and a 200-day moving average price of $195.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.68, a P/E/G ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.27. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $152.33 and a 1 year high of $246.32.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted 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 company had revenue of $4.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.32 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.09% and a return on equity of 19.47%. The firm’s revenue was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $3.71 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.4%. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is presently 3.80%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on UHS shares. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. UBS Group set a $231.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, October 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $234.14.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total value of $852,336.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 8,481 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,893,807.30. This represents a 31.04% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total value of $217,800.50. Following the transaction, the director owned 6,113 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,379,704.10. This trade represents a 13.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Corporate insiders own 16.40% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services 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.