Russell Investments Group Ltd. Sells 28,870 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Russell Investments Group Ltd. lessened its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 25.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 82,615 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 28,870 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd.’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $14,965,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 16.6% in the second quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 10,029 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,851,000 after purchasing an additional 1,430 shares during the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 102.4% in the 2nd quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,820 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $873,000 after purchasing an additional 2,438 shares in the last quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth $265,000. Patton Fund Management Inc. acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter valued at about $232,000. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $468,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on UHS shares. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on Universal Health Services from $243.00 to $203.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 4th. UBS Group set a $231.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Mizuho set a $242.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $232.64.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were 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 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 sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total transaction of $852,336.10. Following the sale, the director 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 disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 16.40% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 1.6%

Universal Health Services stock opened at $239.77 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.19. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $216.71 and a 200-day simple moving average of $192.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.98 billion, a PE ratio of 11.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.33. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.33 and a 12 month high of $246.32.

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

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 1st. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is currently 3.80%.

About Universal Health Services

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.