Proficio Capital Partners LLC Purchases New Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 62,998 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $11,303,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC owned approximately 0.10% of Universal Health Services as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth $18,709,000. Mizuho Securities USA LLC increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 2,101.2% in the 3rd quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 101,188 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $23,173,000 after acquiring an additional 96,591 shares during the last quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter worth about $21,557,000. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 70.8% in the 3rd quarter. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC now owns 214,379 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $49,095,000 after acquiring an additional 88,872 shares during the period. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 163.9% during the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 133,499 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $29,430,000 after purchasing an additional 82,913 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

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Universal Health Services Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE UHS traded up $1.79 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $178.13. The stock had a trading volume of 575,505 shares, compared to its average volume of 701,238. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $182.50 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $199.83. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $152.69 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. The firm has a market cap of $11.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. The firm had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations 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 anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.45%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is currently 4.75%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently issued reports on UHS. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target 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. Barclays lowered their target price 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, February 27th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and cut their price target for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered their price objective on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $230.75.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

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.