OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd Makes New $426,000 Investment in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd bought a new stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 1,859 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $426,000.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% in the 2nd 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 during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter worth $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth $36,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at $43,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 1.1 %

Universal Health Services stock opened at $202.99 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.50, 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. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $130.78 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $222.50 and its two-hundred day moving average is $204.92.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its 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). The business had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The business’s revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.55 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on UHS. TD Cowen decreased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $283.00 to $275.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 28th. KeyCorp initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 11th. They issued a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 28th. Barclays lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price 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.