Handelsbanken Fonder AB Grows Stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Handelsbanken Fonder AB boosted its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 20.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 13,500 shares of the health services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 2,300 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $2,422,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of UHS. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 22.5% in the fourth quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 54,105 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $9,721,000 after purchasing an additional 9,946 shares during the last quarter. Savant Capital LLC lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 255.3% in the 4th quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 6,345 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $1,138,000 after buying an additional 4,559 shares during the period. Abacus Planning Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 175.6% in the 4th quarter. Abacus Planning Group Inc. now owns 2,792 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $501,000 after buying an additional 1,779 shares during the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 86.4% in the 3rd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 21,047 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $4,820,000 after buying an additional 9,755 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.9% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,197,537 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $274,248,000 after acquiring an additional 10,578 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 5.9 %

Universal Health Services stock traded down $10.99 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $175.07. The company had a trading volume of 2,056,652 shares, compared to its average volume of 636,303. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.68 and a 12 month high of $243.25. 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's 50 day moving average price is $184.57 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $205.32. The company has a market capitalization of $11.55 billion, a PE ratio of 11.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.30.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. The company had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 5.32%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently weighed in on UHS. Stephens lifted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday. Bank of America started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $223.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 25th. Barclays cut their price objective on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their target price 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. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $226.21.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total value of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This trade represents a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 16.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.