Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Increases Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund boosted its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 7.6% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 54,399 shares of the health services provider's stock after buying an additional 3,848 shares during the quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund owned approximately 0.08% of Universal Health Services worth $9,760,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of UHS. Creative Planning increased its position in Universal Health Services by 15.0% in the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 6,644 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $1,521,000 after buying an additional 869 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 78.9% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 322 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $74,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 10,309.1% in the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 2,290 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $524,000 after acquiring an additional 2,268 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 63.4% in the third quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 23,993 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $5,516,000 after acquiring an additional 9,306 shares during the period. Finally, Forsta AP Fonden boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 22.2% in the third quarter. Forsta AP Fonden now owns 11,000 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $2,519,000 after acquiring an additional 2,000 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently commented on UHS. StockNews.com lowered Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, November 9th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 25th. TD Cowen cut their price target on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. Bank of America began coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $223.00 price target for the company. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald raised Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $228.77.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

UHS stock traded down $10.99 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $175.07. 2,056,680 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 636,538. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $184.47 and a 200 day moving average price of $205.02. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.68 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.64, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.30.

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

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a 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 4.75%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other 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 transaction, the director now owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. The trade was a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services 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.