Raymond James Financial Inc. Makes New Investment in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 163,308 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $29,301,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. owned 0.25% of Universal Health Services as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Choreo LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.4% during the fourth quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 1,822 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $325,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares during the period. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 3,060 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $549,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Platinum Investment Management Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 17.6% during the 4th quarter. Platinum Investment Management Ltd. now owns 488 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $88,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 8.0% in the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 1,133 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $203,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Metis Global Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 4.7% in the fourth quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 1,988 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $357,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UHS has been the topic of several analyst reports. Stephens increased their price target on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on 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. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Robert W. Baird restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $224.00 price objective (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, Guggenheim initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective for the company. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $224.92.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Universal Health Services stock traded up $6.26 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $167.56. 189,477 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 746,427. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $153.99 and a 1-year 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. The business has a fifty day moving average of $177.79 and a 200 day moving average of $190.18. The company has a market capitalization of $10.89 billion, a PE ratio of 11.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.21 by $0.71. The firm had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.48%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 4.75%.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 16.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.