Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by Retirement Systems of Alabama

Retirement Systems of Alabama lowered its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 1.4% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 12,984 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 180 shares during the quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $2,973,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of UHS. Point72 Asset Management L.P. lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 362.3% during the 2nd quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 322,626 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $59,663,000 after acquiring an additional 252,846 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 357.9% during the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 261,221 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $48,308,000 after purchasing an additional 204,178 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 408.2% in the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 140,561 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $25,994,000 after purchasing an additional 112,902 shares during the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 102.0% in the 3rd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 210,926 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $48,304,000 after purchasing an additional 106,517 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter valued at $18,031,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 2.5 %

Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $180.11 on Friday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $149.02 and a 1-year high of $243.25. The company has a market capitalization of $11.88 billion, a PE ratio of 11.98, a P/E/G ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The business has a 50-day moving average of $204.92 and a 200-day moving average of $208.06.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.75 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The business had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.55 EPS. Universal Health Services’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 3rd were paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 3rd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.44%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5.32%.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total value of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This trade represents a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UHS has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 28th. Bank of America initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price objective on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 25th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $226.14.

Universal Health Services 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.