DnB Asset Management AS Buys 367 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

DnB Asset Management AS lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 3.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 10,967 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 367 shares during the quarter. DnB Asset Management AS’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,968,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth $67,964,000. Amundi grew its position in Universal Health Services by 189.5% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 360,070 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $68,532,000 after acquiring an additional 235,689 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth about $29,301,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas raised its position in Universal Health Services by 57.1% in the fourth quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 287,278 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $51,543,000 after purchasing an additional 104,455 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AustralianSuper Pty Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at about $18,709,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.2 %

Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $187.53 on Wednesday. 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, Inc. has a 52 week low of $152.69 and a 52 week high of $243.25. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $181.95 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $196.34. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.19 billion, a PE ratio of 12.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32.

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

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.43%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 4.75%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on UHS shares. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 10th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their price target for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $200.00 target price on the stock. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight 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 presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $228.38.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on 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 sale, the director now owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 16.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.