Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC Boosts Stock Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 1,353.6% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 44,159 shares of the health services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 41,121 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $10,113,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UHS. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter valued at $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth $36,000. Denali Advisors LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth $37,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at about $43,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UHS has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. TD Cowen raised Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their target price for the company from $220.00 to $283.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday. Cantor Fitzgerald restated a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Finally, KeyCorp initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 11th. They issued a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $232.46.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Universal Health Services stock opened at $202.75 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 1.17. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.18, a price-to-earnings-growth 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’s 50-day moving average is $229.55 and its 200 day moving average is $201.02.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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). Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. The business had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.55 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.87 EPS for the current year.

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

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.