iA Global Asset Management Inc. Boosts Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

iA Global Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 26.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 11,996 shares of the health services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 2,535 shares during the period. iA Global Asset Management Inc.'s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $2,152,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of UHS. Magnetar Financial LLC raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,883.3% during the 4th quarter. Magnetar Financial LLC now owns 26,755 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $4,800,000 after buying an additional 25,406 shares during the period. Teacher Retirement System of Texas increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 57.1% during the fourth quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 287,278 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $51,543,000 after acquiring an additional 104,455 shares during the last quarter. Platinum Investment Management Ltd. raised its position in Universal Health Services by 17.6% in the fourth quarter. Platinum Investment Management Ltd. now owns 488 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $88,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the period. Cozad Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Cozad Asset Management Inc. now owns 25,652 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $4,602,000 after purchasing an additional 815 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Markets Corp grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 15.5% during the 4th quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp now owns 9,329 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $1,674,000 after purchasing an additional 1,250 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded down $1.46 on Wednesday, hitting $184.45. 1,056,825 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 711,128. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $152.69 and a 1-year high of $243.25. The company has a market capitalization of $11.99 billion, a PE ratio of 12.26, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. 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 firm's 50-day moving average is $181.82 and its 200 day moving average is $197.84.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.21 by $0.71. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The business had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.01 billion. Sell-side analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 4.75%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently issued reports on UHS. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced 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. Stephens increased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 target price for the company. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $228.38.

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.