Fmr LLC Lowers Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

FMR LLC cut its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 17.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,320,197 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 505,527 shares during the period. FMR LLC owned approximately 3.52% of Universal Health Services worth $416,290,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 73.0% in the 3rd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,226 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $510,000 after buying an additional 939 shares in the last quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 100.6% during the third quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC now owns 2,237 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $512,000 after purchasing an additional 1,122 shares during the last quarter. MML Investors Services LLC grew its position in Universal Health Services by 18.6% in the third quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 2,030 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $465,000 after acquiring an additional 318 shares during the last quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its position in Universal Health Services by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 18,042 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $4,132,000 after purchasing an additional 206 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LRI Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 18.1% during the third quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 456 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $104,000 after buying an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently issued reports on UHS. 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. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $226.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Guggenheim began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $224.00 price target (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $224.92.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.9 %

NYSE:UHS traded down $1.67 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $177.15. 138,657 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 746,152. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $152.69 and a one year high of $243.25. The company has a market cap of $11.52 billion, a PE ratio of 11.78, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $179.64 and its 200-day simple moving average is $192.16. 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 posted its quarterly earnings data 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 business had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.01 billion. Equities analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 4.75%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

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.