Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by Great Lakes Advisors LLC

Great Lakes Advisors LLC reduced its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 28.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 45,157 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 18,090 shares during the period. Great Lakes Advisors LLC owned 0.07% of Universal Health Services worth $8,102,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Quent Capital LLC increased its position in Universal Health Services by 118.3% during the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at about $39,000. Huntington National Bank lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth about $69,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UHS has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and cut their price target for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Barclays decreased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 27th. TD Cowen dropped their target price on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $230.75.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 2.0 %

UHS opened at $163.21 on Friday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $152.68 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $183.38 and a 200 day moving average price of $201.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. The company has a market cap of $10.77 billion, a PE ratio of 10.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 company had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. Sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.49%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 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.

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