Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by Hsbc Holdings PLC

Hsbc Holdings PLC decreased its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 8.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 118,144 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 11,144 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC owned about 0.18% of Universal Health Services worth $21,152,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Quent Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of 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 buying an additional 97 shares during the period. Campbell Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth about $46,000. Huntington National Bank increased its stake in shares of 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 buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, Board of the Pension Protection Fund acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $72,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 1.3 %

NYSE UHS opened at $171.69 on Friday. The firm's fifty day moving average is $177.10 and its two-hundred day moving average is $189.31. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $153.99 and a one year high of $243.25. 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 firm has a market cap of $11.16 billion, a PE ratio of 11.42, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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. Analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.47%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 4.75%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UHS has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $224.00 price objective (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Barclays cut their target price on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price target for the company. Finally, Guggenheim initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective on the stock. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $224.92.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of Universal Health Services 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. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 16.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Universal Health Services 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.

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