Ieq Capital LLC Buys 11,494 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Ieq Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 420.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 14,228 shares of the health services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 11,494 shares during the quarter. Ieq Capital LLC's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $2,553,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 102.0% in the third quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 210,926 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $48,304,000 after buying an additional 106,517 shares during the last quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at $18,709,000. Mizuho Securities USA LLC raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 2,101.2% in the third quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 101,188 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $23,173,000 after purchasing an additional 96,591 shares during the period. World Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth about $21,557,000. Finally, Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 70.8% in the 3rd quarter. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC now owns 214,379 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $49,095,000 after buying an additional 88,872 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total transaction of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This represents a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on UHS shares. StockNews.com downgraded Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, November 9th. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research note on Monday, December 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $226.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Finally, Bank of America initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $223.00 target price for the company. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $226.14.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 5.2 %

Shares of Universal Health Services stock traded down $9.90 on Wednesday, reaching $179.11. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,148,873 shares, compared to its average volume of 551,260. The company has a market capitalization of $11.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.91, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.30. 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, Inc. has a 52 week low of $152.68 and a 52 week high of $243.25. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $184.35 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $205.64.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced 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. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.45%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 5.32%.

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.