Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd.

C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. reduced its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 71.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 540 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 1,380 shares during the period. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd.'s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $97,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Fisher Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at $543,000. Townsquare Capital LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter valued at about $427,000. Freedom Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 46.3% in the 3rd quarter. Freedom Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,849 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $423,000 after purchasing an additional 585 shares in the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 28.5% in the 3rd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 14,017 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $3,210,000 after purchasing an additional 3,108 shares during the period. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 13.5% during the third quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 346,969 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $79,459,000 after purchasing an additional 41,218 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

UHS has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Stephens upped their target price on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a "neutral" rating and set a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $228.38.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of UHS traded up $0.07 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $188.85. 622,769 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 734,602. 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 has a fifty day moving average price of $182.00 and a 200-day moving average price of $196.29. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $152.69 and a 12-month high of $243.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.56, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. Equities analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared 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. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is presently 4.75%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. This trade 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 at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 16.10% 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.