Mariner LLC Buys 2,087 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Mariner LLC grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 60.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,540 shares of the health services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 2,087 shares during the period. Mariner LLC's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $994,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Choreo LLC boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 1,822 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $325,000 after buying an additional 60 shares during the period. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 3,060 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $549,000 after buying an additional 65 shares during the period. Platinum Investment Management Ltd. boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 17.6% in the 4th quarter. Platinum Investment Management Ltd. now owns 488 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $88,000 after buying an additional 73 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 8.0% in the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 1,133 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $203,000 after buying an additional 84 shares during the period. Finally, Metis Global Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 4.7% in the 4th quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 1,988 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $357,000 after buying an additional 90 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently commented on UHS shares. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Baird R W cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 10th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set 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 report on Monday, February 3rd. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $224.92.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 1.3 %

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $171.69 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $177.10 and a 200 day moving average of $189.14. The company has a market cap of $11.16 billion, a PE ratio of 11.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $153.99 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.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.21 by $0.71. The company had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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, equities research analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.47%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is currently 4.75%.

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.

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