Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Grows Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 45.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 32,721 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 10,169 shares during the period. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. owned approximately 0.05% of Universal Health Services worth $7,134,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Elyxium Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 320.0% during the third quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 126 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Founders Capital Management bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.1%

UHS opened at $157.61 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.08. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $152.33 and a fifty-two week high of $246.32. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $177.17 and its 200 day moving average is $204.14. The stock has a market cap of $9.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.13.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $5.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.41 by $0.21. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.57% and a net margin of 8.56%.The firm had revenue of $4.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.39 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $4.84 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 23.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald cut their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $229.00 to $194.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Stephens cut their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $235.00 to $205.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, May 2nd. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Finally, Barclays cut their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $268.00 to $238.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 28th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $221.56.

About Universal Health Services

Universal Health Services, Inc (NYSE: UHS) is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS’s facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.