Norges Bank Purchases Shares of 460,024 Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Norges Bank acquired 460,024 shares of Universal Health Services, valued at approximately $83.33 million, in the second quarter, as per its latest SEC filing. This purchase represents 0.71% ownership of UHS by Norges Bank. Several other institutional investors have also adjusted their positions in UHS. The stock has received mixed ratings from analysts, with a consensus target price of $234.14.

Norges Bank purchased a new position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 460,024 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $83,333,000. Norges Bank owned approximately 0.71% of Universal Health Services as of its most recent SEC filing.

HCA Healthcare: Temporary Setbacks, Long-Term Strength

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UHS. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 347.6% in the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 188 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 240.0% in the second quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 204 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares in the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 89.7% in the first quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 258 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 22.9% during the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 354 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $64,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total value of $852,336.10. Following the sale, the director directly owned 8,481 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,893,807.30. This represents a 31.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total value of $217,800.50. Following the transaction, the director owned 6,113 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,379,704.10. The trade was a 13.63% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 16.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Tenet Healthcare Stock Sees Strong Gains from Acute Care Boom

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on UHS shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, October 11th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "buy (b-)" rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Monday. Mizuho set a $242.00 target price on Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. UBS Group set a $231.00 price target on Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Guggenheim lifted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $253.00 to $274.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $234.14.

Get Our Latest Report on UHS

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.3%

Healthcare Stock Rides the Acute Services Phenomenon to New Highs

UHS stock opened at $230.79 on Friday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $152.33 and a fifty-two week high of $246.32. The firm has a market cap of $14.42 billion, a PE ratio of 10.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.27. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $218.85 and a 200 day moving average price of $193.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.03.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The health services provider reported $5.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.66 by $1.03. The business had revenue of $4.50 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.32 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.47% and a net margin of 8.09%.The company's quarterly revenue was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.71 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 1st. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is presently 3.80%.

Universal Health Services Profile

(Free Report)

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.

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