Chase Investment Counsel Corp Buys 425 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Chase Investment Counsel Corp increased its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 16,502 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 425 shares during the period. Chase Investment Counsel Corp’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $3,779,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in UHS. Financial Management Professionals Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the second quarter valued at $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth about $43,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. UBS Group raised their target price on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on 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. StockNews.com lowered Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, KeyCorp began coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 11th. They set a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

UHS stock opened at $205.32 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $13.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.65, a P/E/G ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.29. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $223.21 and its 200 day moving average is $204.93. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $129.34 and a 52 week high of $243.25. 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 (NYSE:UHS) last released 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). The company had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.55 EPS. Research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.93 earnings per share for the current year.

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

Universal Health Services Company 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.