Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Lowers Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP decreased its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 3.7% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,139,601 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 44,286 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned approximately 1.73% of Universal Health Services worth $204,464,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth approximately $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 worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Campbell Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter valued at $46,000. Huntington National Bank lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 55.6% during the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $50,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Board of the Pension Protection Fund bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth $72,000. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In related 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 transaction, the director now 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 Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $161.36 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company has a market capitalization of $10.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.73, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $153.99 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The firm'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 issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 firm had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. Research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.50%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is currently 4.75%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently commented on UHS shares. Robert W. Baird restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $224.00 price objective (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Guggenheim initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of 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. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded 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 given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $224.92.

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.

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