Principal Financial Group Inc. Decreases Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Principal Financial Group Inc. lessened its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 5.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 94,979 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 5,977 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned about 0.14% of Universal Health Services worth $17,041,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Allworth Financial LP lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 4,850.0% in the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 3,267 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $611,000 after purchasing an additional 3,201 shares during the period. Principal Securities Inc. lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 26.9% during the fourth quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 2,360 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $423,000 after acquiring an additional 501 shares during the last quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $18,709,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 8.0% during the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 1,133 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $203,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 22.5% during the fourth quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 54,105 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $9,721,000 after acquiring an additional 9,946 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 directly owns 5,879 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This represents a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UHS has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $223.00 target price for the company. Stephens increased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday. StockNews.com cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, November 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and decreased their target price for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a "neutral" rating and set a $226.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $228.77.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded down $10.99 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $175.07. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,056,680 shares, compared to its average volume of 636,538. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.55 billion, a PE ratio of 11.64, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.30. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $152.68 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $184.47 and a 200 day moving average of $205.02. 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 released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. The firm had revenue of $4.11 billion for 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%. On average, equities analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.46%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 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.