Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by New York State Common Retirement Fund

New York State Common Retirement Fund lessened its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 6.1% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 30,862 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 2,000 shares during the period. New York State Common Retirement Fund's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $5,537,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Blue Trust Inc. increased 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 buying an additional 142 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 10,309.1% during the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 2,290 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $524,000 after buying an additional 2,268 shares during the last quarter. Forsta AP Fonden boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 22.2% during the 3rd quarter. Forsta AP Fonden now owns 11,000 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $2,519,000 after buying an additional 2,000 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 111.7% in the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 4,875 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $1,116,000 after acquiring an additional 2,572 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 61.8% in the third quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 32,429 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $7,427,000 after acquiring an additional 12,387 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.1 %

Shares of UHS traded up $0.21 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $175.26. 699,452 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 634,941. The stock has a market cap of $11.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.65, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.30. The stock's 50-day moving average is $184.47 and its two-hundred day moving average is $204.80. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.68 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 company had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.01 billion. Research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.46%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is currently 4.75%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total transaction of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This represents a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 16.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on UHS shares. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. TD Cowen dropped their price target on 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. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Finally, Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $223.00 target price on the stock. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $228.77.

About Universal Health Services

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.