Meeder Asset Management Inc. Reduces Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Meeder Asset Management Inc. decreased its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 96.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 409 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 12,678 shares during the period. Meeder Asset Management Inc.'s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $73,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. First Eagle Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 4,675,182 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $838,821,000 after buying an additional 44,099 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.6% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,724,075 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $623,840,000 after acquiring an additional 17,527 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,661,530 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $379,403,000 after acquiring an additional 63,754 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in Universal Health Services by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,197,537 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $274,248,000 after purchasing an additional 10,578 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 4.7% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 624,143 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $111,984,000 after purchasing an additional 27,903 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently weighed in on UHS. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 10th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 target price on the stock. Barclays cut their price target 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. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $226.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $228.38.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 16.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of Universal Health Services stock traded down $0.22 during trading on Thursday, hitting $188.56. 886,354 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 736,362. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $152.69 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.54, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $181.97 and a 200 day moving average price of $196.24. 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 (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 firm had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. On average, equities analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.42%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 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.