Daiwa Securities Group Inc. Has $1.39 Million Stock Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Daiwa Securities Group Inc. lifted its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 5.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,750 shares of the health services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 410 shares during the period. Daiwa Securities Group Inc.’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,391,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Amundi lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 189.5% in the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 360,070 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $68,532,000 after purchasing an additional 235,689 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth $29,301,000. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth $18,709,000. Mizuho Securities USA LLC lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 2,101.2% in the third quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 101,188 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $23,173,000 after purchasing an additional 96,591 shares during the period. Finally, World Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth $21,557,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on the company. TD Cowen reduced their target price on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their price objective for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Stephens lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $230.75.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS stock opened at $167.83 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $182.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $200.95. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The firm has a market cap of $10.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.16, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.68 and a 12 month high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.21 by $0.71. The company had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. Research analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.48%. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is currently 4.75%.

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.