Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. Cuts Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. lowered its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 9.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 136,776 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 14,527 shares during the quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. owned 0.21% of Universal Health Services worth $27,962,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter worth about $29,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 347.6% in the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 188 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 240.0% during the second quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 204 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at approximately $40,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have commented on UHS. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday. Mizuho set a $242.00 target price on Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Guggenheim upped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $253.00 to $274.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective 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. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $234.20.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the stock in a transaction on 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 owned 6,113 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,379,704.10. This represents a 13.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total value of $852,336.10. Following the sale, the director directly 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 SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 16.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 2.1%

NYSE UHS opened at $199.80 on Friday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $224.40 and its 200-day moving average price is $201.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $152.33 and a 52 week high of $246.32. The company has a market capitalization of $12.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.28.

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

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st were paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.4%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is 3.80%.

Universal Health Services Profile

Universal Health Services, Inc (NYSE: UHS) is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS’s facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.