Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Bought by Wedge Capital Management L L P NC

Wedge Capital Management L L P NC grew its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 43.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 40,303 shares of the health services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 12,163 shares during the quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC owned about 0.06% of Universal Health Services worth $7,231,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth about $39,000. Huntington National Bank grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 414.3% during the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. increased its position in Universal Health Services by 41.8% in the 2nd quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 251 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 74 shares during the period. Finally, Sentry Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $64,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 directly owns 5,879 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This represents a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on UHS. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 25th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 28th. Barclays lifted their price target on Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $226.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $226.14.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.4 %

NYSE UHS traded up $0.80 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $184.86. The company's stock had a trading volume of 378,391 shares, compared to its average volume of 510,642. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $150.11 and a 52-week high of $243.25. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $190.31 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $207.55.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The company had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.55 earnings per share. The business's quarterly revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.43%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 5.32%.

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.