Guggenheim Capital LLC Sells 5,517 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Guggenheim Capital LLC reduced its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 64.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,017 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 5,517 shares during the period. Guggenheim Capital LLC's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $541,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Quent Capital LLC boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 118.3% during the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the period. Campbell Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth about $46,000. Huntington National Bank boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 55.6% during the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, Board of the Pension Protection Fund acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter valued at about $72,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UHS has been the subject of several research reports. Stephens lifted their price target on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on 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. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 10th. Guggenheim assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 target price for the company. Finally, Robert W. Baird restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $224.00 target price (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $224.92.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

UHS traded up $1.81 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $173.49. The company had a trading volume of 942,232 shares, compared to its average volume of 746,817. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. The company has a market capitalization of $11.28 billion, a PE ratio of 11.54, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $153.99 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $176.91 and its 200-day simple moving average is $188.86.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.35 by $0.49. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. Equities research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.46%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.75%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 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.