Raymond James Financial Inc. Makes New $29.30 Million Investment in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 163,308 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $29,301,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. owned about 0.25% of Universal Health Services as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in UHS. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Quent Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at about $39,000. Huntington National Bank increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at about $69,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of UHS stock traded up $1.64 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $176.22. The company had a trading volume of 826,914 shares, compared to its average volume of 700,036. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $182.70 and its 200 day simple moving average is $200.27. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $152.69 and a 52-week high of $243.25. The stock has a market cap of $11.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.72, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28.

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Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. Research analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date 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 (DPR) is presently 4.75%.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of Universal Health Services 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 sale, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently commented on UHS. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Stephens raised their price target on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Barclays dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, TD Cowen dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $230.75.

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.