Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Stock Holdings Increased by Natixis

Natixis increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 492.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 23,165 shares of the health services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 19,253 shares during the period. Natixis' holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $4,156,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Quent Capital LLC increased its holdings in 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 purchasing an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Campbell Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Huntington National Bank lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 55.6% during the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Board of the Pension Protection Fund acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth $72,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have commented on UHS. Baird R W cut Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Stephens increased 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 reduced their price objective 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. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Guggenheim assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective on the stock. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $224.92.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

UHS stock traded down $2.31 during trading on Friday, hitting $171.69. 1,008,914 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 746,031. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $153.99 and a 52 week high of $243.25. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $177.10 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $189.14. 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 (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The company had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. As a group, equities 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 declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.47%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is currently 4.75%.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The shares were 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 legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

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.