Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc.

Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc. reduced its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 45.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 8,701 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 7,159 shares during the period. Universal Health Services makes up approximately 0.6% of Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest holding. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc.’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,993,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in UHS. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 1,160 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $215,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the period. LRI Investments LLC lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 19.5% during the 2nd quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 386 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $71,000 after buying an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 2,238 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $512,000 after buying an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 31.6% in the 3rd quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 283 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Finally, O Neil Global Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 6.7% in the 2nd quarter. O Neil Global Advisors Inc. now owns 1,175 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $217,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.9 %

UHS stock opened at $200.99 on Friday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $132.38 and a one year high of $243.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.41 billion, a PE ratio of 13.36, 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 company has a fifty day moving average of $221.73 and a 200-day moving average of $204.89.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced 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 net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The company had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.55 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.93 EPS for the current year.

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UHS has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Barclays increased their target price 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, October 25th. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Stephens reissued an “equal weight” rating and set a $200.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $283.00 to $275.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Six research 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’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $231.14.

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.