Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. Grows Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. grew its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 10.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 162,338 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 15,827 shares during the quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. owned approximately 0.24% of Universal Health Services worth $37,177,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,099,282 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,295,335,000 after acquiring an additional 57,036 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.5% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 486,438 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $89,957,000 after purchasing an additional 2,620 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 362.3% in the second quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 322,626 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $59,663,000 after purchasing an additional 252,846 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 357.9% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 261,221 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $48,308,000 after purchasing an additional 204,178 shares during the period. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,191.8% during the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 215,215 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $39,267,000 after buying an additional 198,555 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $201.69 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $13.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $221.18 and a 200-day moving average price of $205.36. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $132.74 and a one year high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 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 firm had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.90 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.55 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.93 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the health services provider to reacquire up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are usually a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on UHS shares. Stephens reissued an “equal weight” rating and set a $200.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price 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. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Bank of America started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price objective for the company. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their target price on Universal Health Services from $283.00 to $275.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 28th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $231.14.

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.