Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by Prudential Financial Inc.

Prudential Financial Inc. cut its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 13.9% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 51,056 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 8,214 shares during the quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. owned approximately 0.08% of Universal Health Services worth $9,160,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Amundi lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 189.5% in the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 360,070 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $68,532,000 after purchasing an additional 235,689 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth about $29,301,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 57.1% during the 4th quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 287,278 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $51,543,000 after acquiring an additional 104,455 shares in the last quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at about $18,709,000. Finally, World Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at about $21,557,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of UHS opened at $186.11 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $181.91 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $197.19. 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 company has a market capitalization of $12.10 billion, a PE ratio of 12.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $152.69 and a 52-week high of $243.25.

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

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 16.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UHS has been the topic of several research analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Stephens upped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a “neutral” rating and set a $226.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Finally, Barclays lowered their price objective on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $228.38.

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.