Vanguard Group Inc. Has $1.36 Billion Stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Vanguard Group Inc. lessened its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 3.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,658,878 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 237,190 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. owned about 10.46% of Universal Health Services worth $1,361,341,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 320.0% in the 3rd quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 126 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares during the period. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 347.6% during 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 during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.4%

Universal Health Services stock opened at $230.85 on Friday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $152.33 and a fifty-two week high of $246.32. The stock has a market cap of $14.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.97, a PEG ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.03. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $216.28 and its 200-day moving average price is $208.86.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 2nd. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is presently 3.80%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently commented on UHS shares. UBS Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Morgan Stanley set a $233.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an “equal weight” rating and set a $235.00 price target (down from $259.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $251.00 to $245.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $234.13.

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.