Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Sells 12,300 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board cut its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 9.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 113,600 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 12,300 shares during the quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board owned approximately 0.17% of Universal Health Services worth $20,382,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Quent Capital LLC grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Campbell Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter valued at about $46,000. Huntington National Bank raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 55.6% in the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Board of the Pension Protection Fund acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $72,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently commented on UHS. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price target for the company. Stephens boosted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Barclays reduced their price objective on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 10th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $224.92.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 3.4 %

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded up $5.40 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $166.70. 775,896 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 748,725. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $177.79 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $190.18. The stock has a market cap of $10.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.08, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $153.99 and a 12-month high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. The firm had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. On average, equities research 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 given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.48%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.75%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the company'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 sale, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available 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.