Quadrature Capital Ltd Acquires 8,700 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Quadrature Capital Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 80.5% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 19,502 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 8,700 shares during the period. Quadrature Capital Ltd’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $3,559,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of UHS. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Mather Group LLC. purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Denali Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Finally, Fidelis Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $46,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Universal Health Services from an “underweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $162.00 to $219.00 in a report on Friday. Robert W. Baird raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $198.00 to $236.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $183.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 7th. UBS Group raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $189.00 to $226.00 in a report on Monday, May 20th. Finally, TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $183.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Friday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $206.14.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 4.2 %

UHS stock traded up $8.70 during trading on Friday, reaching $213.69. 1,474,291 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 800,823. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $185.59 and a 200-day moving average price of $173.98. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $119.90 and a 1 year high of $214.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.11, a P/E/G ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued 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 6.22% and a return on equity of 14.91%. The company 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 earnings per share. Universal Health Services’s quarterly revenue was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.8 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared 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 of this dividend is Tuesday, September 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 6.78%.

Universal Health Services announced that its board has initiated a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the health services provider to repurchase up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally a sign 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.