Assenagon Asset Management S.A. Lowers Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lowered its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 89.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 6,964 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 59,511 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A.'s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,249,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth about $39,000. Huntington National Bank lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 41.8% in the 2nd quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 251 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sentry Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $64,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UHS has been the topic of several research reports. Barclays raised their target price on Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $223.00 target price on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $226.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $226.14.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 2.2 %

NYSE UHS traded down $4.25 on Friday, reaching $185.65. The stock had a trading volume of 721,371 shares, compared to its average volume of 498,645. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $188.65 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $207.37. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $152.68 and a 12-month high of $243.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.34, a P/E/G ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business's revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.55 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 3rd were issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.43%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 5.32%.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total value of $308,516.10. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,879 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,123,770.85. This trade represents a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate 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.