Natixis Raises Stock Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Natixis boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 518.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 33,725 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 28,275 shares during the period. Natixis’ holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $6,153,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in UHS. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at $36,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at $36,000. Denali Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth $37,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth $42,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have weighed in on UHS. Robert W. Baird raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $198.00 to $236.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, March 28th. Baird R W raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. UBS Group raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $189.00 to $226.00 in a report on Monday, May 20th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $195.29.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS stock traded up $19.02 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $204.99. 2,756,521 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 639,201. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $119.90 and a 12 month high of $207.70. The company has a market cap of $13.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.37, a PEG ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 1.28. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $184.87 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $173.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.38.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.37 by $0.94. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 5.57% and a return on equity of 13.34%. The business had revenue of $3.91 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.87 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.53 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 13.83 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 3rd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.39%. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is currently 6.78%.

Universal Health Services announced that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the health services provider to purchase up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are 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.