National Bank of Canada FI Has $7.16 Million Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

National Bank of Canada FI cut its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 67.5% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 31,265 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 64,808 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $7,160,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Point72 Asset Management L.P. grew its position in Universal Health Services by 362.3% in the second quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 322,626 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $59,663,000 after purchasing an additional 252,846 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 357.9% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 261,221 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $48,308,000 after acquiring an additional 204,178 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 408.2% in the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 140,561 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $25,994,000 after acquiring an additional 112,902 shares in the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC increased 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 acquiring an additional 106,517 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the second quarter worth about $18,031,000. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of UHS traded down $4.27 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $186.44. 601,513 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 680,034. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $208.68 and its 200 day simple moving average is $208.21. The company has a market cap of $12.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.40, a PEG ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.28. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $143.96 and a twelve month high of $243.25. 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 announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.75 by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.55 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.88 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd will be issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.43%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is presently 5.32%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the director now owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This trade represents a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on UHS shares. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 25th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, November 9th. TD Cowen cut their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald restated a "neutral" rating and set a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $225.50.

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.