Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super Invests $28.43 Million in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 158,437 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $28,427,000. Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super owned 0.24% of Universal Health Services at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Choreo LLC grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 1,822 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $325,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 2.2% during the fourth quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 3,060 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $549,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Platinum Investment Management Ltd. grew its position in Universal Health Services by 17.6% in the 4th quarter. Platinum Investment Management Ltd. now owns 488 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $88,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 8.0% in the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 1,133 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $203,000 after buying an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Metis Global Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 4.7% during the 4th quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 1,988 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $357,000 after buying an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently commented on UHS. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Stephens lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Guggenheim initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price target for the company. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Baird R W downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $224.92.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded up $0.91 during trading on Friday, hitting $174.57. 585,657 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 746,613. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $153.66 and a 52-week high of $243.25. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $178.66 and a 200 day moving average of $191.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The company has a market cap of $11.35 billion, a PE ratio of 11.61, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 firm had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.46%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is presently 4.75%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 16.40% 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.