Russell Investments Group Ltd. Sells 23,193 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Russell Investments Group Ltd. cut its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 15.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 130,531 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 23,193 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned 0.20% of Universal Health Services worth $23,418,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of UHS. Choreo LLC lifted 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 valued at $325,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. raised its holdings in 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 worth $549,000 after buying an additional 65 shares during the period. LRI Investments LLC lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 18.1% during the third quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 456 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $104,000 after buying an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. Platinum Investment Management Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 17.6% in the fourth quarter. Platinum Investment Management Ltd. now owns 488 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $88,000 after buying an additional 73 shares during the period. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 8.0% in the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 1,133 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $203,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 16.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 1.8 %

Shares of UHS traded down $3.19 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $175.05. 985,904 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 748,441. The firm's 50 day moving average is $179.93 and its 200-day moving average is $192.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $152.69 and a 52 week high of $243.25. The company has a market cap of $11.38 billion, a PE ratio of 11.64, a PEG 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 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.21 by $0.71. The company had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders 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 0.46%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is presently 4.75%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UHS has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Barclays lowered their price target on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Stephens increased their price objective 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. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and lowered their target price for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $226.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Seven 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 stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $228.77.

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.