Barclays PLC Acquires 20,013 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Barclays PLC grew its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 10.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 208,778 shares of the health services provider's stock after buying an additional 20,013 shares during the period. Barclays PLC owned 0.32% of Universal Health Services worth $37,457,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Norges Bank bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth $67,964,000. Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 25.6% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,241,340 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $222,721,000 after buying an additional 253,385 shares during the period. Amundi grew its stake in 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 buying an additional 235,689 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,301,000. Finally, Teacher Retirement System of Texas increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 57.1% during the fourth quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 287,278 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $51,543,000 after purchasing an additional 104,455 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded up $6.26 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $167.56. 189,477 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 746,427. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $153.99 and a 1-year high of $243.25. The company has a market capitalization of $10.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. 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 business's 50 day moving average is $177.79 and its 200-day moving average is $190.18.

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 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%. The firm had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. Equities analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.48%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is currently 4.75%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Barclays reduced their price target on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Guggenheim started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 target price for the company. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $224.00 price target (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $224.92.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 sale, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

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.