Franklin Resources Inc. Purchases 82,913 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 163.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 133,499 shares of the health services provider's stock after buying an additional 82,913 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. owned approximately 0.20% of Universal Health Services worth $29,430,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Cerity Partners LLC raised its position in Universal Health Services by 86.4% in the third quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 21,047 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $4,820,000 after acquiring an additional 9,755 shares in the last quarter. Vestcor Inc grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,436.5% in the 3rd quarter. Vestcor Inc now owns 54,070 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $12,383,000 after purchasing an additional 50,551 shares during the last quarter. Eagle Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $13,496,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 174.3% during the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 41,623 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $9,532,000 after purchasing an additional 26,447 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zacks Investment Management bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth approximately $2,794,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 1.0 %

UHS stock traded down $1.73 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $175.80. The stock had a trading volume of 1,406,429 shares, compared to its average volume of 684,367. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $148.00 and a 1-year high of $243.25. The company has a fifty day moving average of $204.92 and a 200 day moving average of $208.06. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $11.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.69, a PEG ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.75 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.55 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 3rd were paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.46%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 3rd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is presently 5.32%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total transaction of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 5,879 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,123,770.85. This represents a 21.54 % 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. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UHS has been the topic of several research reports. TD Cowen dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and reduced their target price for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a report on Monday. Bank of America began coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $223.00 price target for the company. KeyCorp assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 11th. They set a "sector weight" rating on the stock. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $226.14.

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.