KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Buys Shares of 19,187 Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 19,187 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $3,443,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Quent Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Campbell Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth approximately $69,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently issued reports on UHS. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 10th. Stephens raised 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 research report on Friday, February 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. Barclays dropped their target price on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Morgan Stanley started coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price target for the company. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued 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 $228.38.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded down $0.42 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $186.11. The company had a trading volume of 732,451 shares, compared to its average volume of 739,104. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $152.69 and a 52-week high of $243.25. The company's 50 day moving average price is $181.91 and its 200 day moving average price is $196.96. 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 has a market cap of $12.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.37, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 firm had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.01 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

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

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.