Assenagon Asset Management S.A. Has $15.22 Million Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 158.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 66,475 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 40,711 shares during the quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. owned approximately 0.10% of Universal Health Services worth $15,223,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 26.6% in the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 13,109 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $1,998,000 after purchasing an additional 2,756 shares during the last quarter. Denali Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at $37,000. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 7.8% during the 1st quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 3,720 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $679,000 after buying an additional 270 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 5.2% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 3,120 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $569,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fortis Group Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $275,000. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently commented on UHS. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $255.00 to $275.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday. KeyCorp assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 11th. They issued a “sector weight” rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $232.46.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

NYSE:UHS opened at $202.75 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $229.55 and a 200 day simple moving average of $201.02. The stock has a market cap of $13.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.18, a PEG ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.27. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $121.00 and a 1-year high of $243.25. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.55 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.87 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services announced that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Wednesday, July 24th that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the health services provider to reacquire up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total transaction of $180,293.50. Following the transaction, the director now owns 1,985 shares in the company, valued at $421,038.35. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $864,248.44. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total transaction of $180,293.50. Following the sale, the director now owns 1,985 shares in the company, valued at $421,038.35. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

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.