Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Buys 2,874 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 127.8% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 5,122 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,874 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’ holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,047,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Quent Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its stake 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 in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently weighed in on UHS. Cantor Fitzgerald upped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Mizuho set a $242.00 target price on Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Raymond James Financial set a $270.00 price target on Universal Health Services and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $251.00 to $245.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $234.13.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $234.86 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $14.67 billion, a PE ratio of 11.16, a PEG ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.26. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $215.39 and a 200 day moving average of $206.78. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.33 and a 12 month high of $246.32.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Investors of record on Monday, March 2nd will be issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 2nd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.3%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 3.80%.

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.