Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund Reduces Stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund decreased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 7.4% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 2,013 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 160 shares during the period. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $367,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth about $32,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth about $36,000. Mather Group LLC. purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth about $36,000. Denali Advisors LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth about $43,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Baird R W upgraded Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Universal Health Services from $182.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from an “underweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and upped their target price for the stock from $162.00 to $219.00 in a research note on Friday. Robert W. Baird upgraded Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating and upped their target price for the stock from $198.00 to $236.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 26th. Finally, Stephens restated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $200.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $209.00.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 2.1 %

NYSE UHS traded up $4.59 on Monday, hitting $218.28. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 360,645 shares, compared to its average volume of 643,067. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $119.90 and a 52-week high of $219.61. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $185.59 and its 200 day simple moving average is $174.10. The firm has a market cap of $14.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.51, a PEG ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.37 by $0.94. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. The business had revenue of $3.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.87 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.53 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 16.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.37%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 3rd. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is presently 6.78%.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has approved a share buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the health services provider to buy up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often an indication that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

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.