Allianz Asset Management GmbH Sells 8,096 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Allianz Asset Management GmbH cut its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 3.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 241,170 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 8,096 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH owned approximately 0.37% of Universal Health Services worth $43,271,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Creative Planning grew its position in Universal Health Services by 15.0% during the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 6,644 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $1,521,000 after buying an additional 869 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 78.9% during the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 322 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $74,000 after purchasing an additional 142 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 173.3% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 69,309 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $15,873,000 after purchasing an additional 43,946 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 1,353.6% in the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 44,159 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $10,113,000 after purchasing an additional 41,121 shares during the period. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 10,309.1% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 2,290 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $524,000 after buying an additional 2,268 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 5.2 %

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded down $9.90 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $179.11. The company had a trading volume of 1,149,209 shares, compared to its average volume of 557,357. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.68 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $184.35 and a 200 day simple moving average of $205.64. The stock has a market cap of $11.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.91, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.30.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. On average, analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.45%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 5.32%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Bank of America began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $223.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 25th. Finally, StockNews.com cut Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, November 9th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $226.14.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total transaction of $308,516.10. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. The trade was a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

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.