Cerity Partners LLC Trims Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Cerity Partners LLC reduced its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 16.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 17,494 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 3,553 shares during the quarter. Cerity Partners LLC's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $3,212,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on UHS shares. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective 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. Baird R W cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Stephens boosted 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. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $224.92.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following 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 ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS traded up $0.91 on Friday, reaching $174.57. The stock had a trading volume of 585,657 shares, compared to its average volume of 746,613. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $178.66 and a 200 day moving average of $191.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.35 billion, a PE ratio of 11.61, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $153.66 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

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 earnings per share 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 business had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.01 billion. Sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed 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. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.46%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 4.75%.

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.