Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Bought by DGS Capital Management LLC

DGS Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 11.4% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 7,984 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 817 shares during the quarter. DGS Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,829,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth $39,000. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Huntington National Bank boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the second quarter valued at about $35,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Universal Health Services stock traded up $0.18 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $186.62. 38,904 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 677,429. The firm has a market cap of $12.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.40, a P/E/G ratio of 0.61 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $147.33 and a 1-year high of $243.25. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $208.11 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $208.06.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.55 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is 5.32%.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total value of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 5,879 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This represents a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have weighed in on UHS. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 25th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 25th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. Finally, KeyCorp initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 11th. They issued a “sector weight” rating for the company. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $225.50.

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.