Inspire Investing LLC Invests $897,000 in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Inspire Investing LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 4,914 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $897,000.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UHS. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $32,000. Mather Group LLC. purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $36,000. Denali Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $37,000. GAMMA Investing LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at about $42,000. Finally, Fidelis Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $46,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

UHS stock traded down $0.11 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $183.77. The company had a trading volume of 865,898 shares, compared to its average volume of 618,555. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $183.65 and a 200 day moving average price of $172.09. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $119.90 and a fifty-two week high of $194.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.30 billion, a PE ratio of 15.57, a P/E/G ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 24th. The health services provider reported $3.70 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $3.14 by $0.56. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 13.34% and a net margin of 5.57%. The company had revenue of $3.84 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.78 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.34 earnings per share. Universal Health Services's quarterly revenue was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 13.83 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 3rd were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.44%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is presently 6.78%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on UHS shares. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an "underweight" rating and set a $162.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, July 9th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $183.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $182.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. Robert W. Baird raised Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "outperform" rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $198.00 to $236.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 26th. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $181.00 to $183.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $194.21.

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.