Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC Boosts Stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 25.0% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 63,519 shares of the health services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 12,712 shares during the quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.10% of Universal Health Services worth $11,397,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Quent Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the period. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Campbell Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $46,000. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $69,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 7.4 %

Shares of Universal Health Services stock traded down $14.04 during trading on Friday, reaching $174.69. 1,577,231 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 742,442. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.36 billion, a PE ratio of 11.62, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $152.69 and a 1-year high of $243.25. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $181.75 and a 200-day moving average price of $195.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28.

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Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.21 by $0.71. The firm had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued 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 4.75%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the 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 of the company's stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of 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. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $226.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Stephens upped their price target on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald raised Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $228.38.

About Universal Health Services

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.