Sanctuary Advisors LLC Trims Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Sanctuary Advisors LLC reduced its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 43.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,675 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 4,328 shares during the period. Sanctuary Advisors LLC's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,074,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Choreo LLC lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 1,822 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $325,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. Empirical Finance LLC increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 5,704 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $1,306,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 3.0% in the third quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 2,238 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $512,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 14.4% in the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 516 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $118,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 2.2% during the fourth 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 during the period. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 5.9 %

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded down $10.99 during trading on Friday, hitting $175.07. The stock had a trading volume of 2,056,680 shares, compared to its average volume of 636,538. 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, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.68 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The company has a market capitalization of $11.55 billion, a PE ratio of 11.64, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.30. The firm's fifty day moving average is $184.47 and its 200 day moving average is $204.91.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. Analysts anticipate 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 will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.46%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is currently 4.75%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on UHS shares. TD Cowen lowered their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. Bank of America started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $223.00 price objective for the company. Stephens increased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday. Barclays reduced 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. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 25th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $228.77.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total transaction of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. The trade was a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

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.