Principal Financial Group Inc. Acquires 3,685 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 5.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 66,026 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 3,685 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned approximately 0.11% of Universal Health Services worth $11,817,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Blair William & Co. IL increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 4.1% during the fourth quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 1,390 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $303,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,794 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $367,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,859 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $841,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Triad Wealth Partners LLC boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Triad Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,858 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $333,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the period. Finally, Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 20,595 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $4,490,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 3.1%

Universal Health Services stock opened at $155.96 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $9.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.07. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $140.08 and a 1-year high of $246.32. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $150.58 and a 200 day simple moving average of $179.85. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $5.62 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.41 by $0.21. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.56% and a return on equity of 19.57%. 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 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 23.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 1st. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 3.33%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $241.00 to $204.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Wall Street Zen cut Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, May 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $216.00 to $190.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $233.00 to $212.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Finally, Guggenheim dropped their target price on Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $195.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 20th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $213.73.

Universal Health Services Profile

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.