Venturi Wealth Management LLC Raises Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Venturi Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 48.7% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 708 shares of the health services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 232 shares during the period. Venturi Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $127,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth about $32,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Quent Capital LLC boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Huntington National Bank boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the stock in a transaction on 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 of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This represents a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 2.3 %

Shares of UHS stock opened at $179.93 on Friday. 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 company has a market cap of $11.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.96, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.30. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $184.27 and a 200-day simple moving average of $206.13. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $152.68 and a 1-year high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is 5.32%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently commented on UHS. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 25th. Bank of America began coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald raised Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $226.14.

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.