Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ Grows Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ grew its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 39.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 40,926 shares of the health services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 11,488 shares during the quarter. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ owned approximately 0.06% of Universal Health Services worth $7,300,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Achmea Investment Management B.V. increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 131.9% during the fourth quarter. Achmea Investment Management B.V. now owns 50,128 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $8,994,000 after purchasing an additional 28,509 shares in the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 5.6% during the fourth quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 7,750 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $1,391,000 after buying an additional 410 shares in the last quarter. Moran Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 82.0% in the fourth quarter. Moran Wealth Management LLC now owns 31,624 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $5,674,000 after buying an additional 14,250 shares during the last quarter. Personal CFO Solutions LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth about $852,000. Finally, Amundi boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 189.5% during the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 360,070 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $68,532,000 after acquiring an additional 235,689 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on UHS. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research note on Monday, December 16th. 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 note on Tuesday, November 26th. Stephens raised their target price 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. Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Six research 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. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $230.75.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, 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 Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 16.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded up $1.79 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $178.13. 855,811 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 701,239. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $182.50 and its 200 day simple moving average is $199.83. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $152.69 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The firm has a market cap of $11.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.84, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32.

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

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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

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.