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

Retirement Systems of Alabama lessened its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 1.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. 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 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 163.9% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 133,499 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $29,430,000 after purchasing an additional 82,913 shares during the period. Tidal Investments LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 208.0% during the third quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 12,100 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $2,771,000 after buying an additional 8,171 shares during the period. World Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth about $21,557,000. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at about $201,000. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $2,194,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on UHS shares. Barclays lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Bank of America began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a “neutral” rating and set a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 25th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $226.14.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the business’s 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 $1,123,770.85. The trade was a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

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

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings results 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 firm had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.55 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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

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.