Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,790,000 shares, an increase of 43.1% from the February 28th total of 1,950,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 759,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.7 days. Currently, 5.2% of the company's shares are sold short.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

NYSE UHS traded down $1.59 during trading on Thursday, hitting $187.19. 140,889 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 773,799. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $182.00 and a 200-day simple moving average of $196.29. 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 company has a market capitalization of $12.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. Universal Health Services has a 12-month low of $152.68 and a 12-month high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 firm had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.01 billion. As a group, analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

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Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.43%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 4.75%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Barclays lowered their price target on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Stephens raised their price objective on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and dropped their price target for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Seven investment 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. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $228.38.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the business's 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 owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Fisher Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter valued at $543,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 12.6% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 145,259 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $33,266,000 after purchasing an additional 16,199 shares in the last quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at about $427,000. Freedom Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 46.3% in the 3rd quarter. Freedom Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,849 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $423,000 after buying an additional 585 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 28.5% in the 3rd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 14,017 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $3,210,000 after buying an additional 3,108 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.