JPMorgan Chase & Co. Sells 72,883 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

JPMorgan Chase & Co. trimmed its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 6.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,124,654 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 72,883 shares during the quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned 1.70% of Universal Health Services worth $201,786,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Quent Capital LLC raised its position in Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the period. Campbell Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth $46,000. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter worth $69,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS stock traded down $0.22 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $188.56. The stock had a trading volume of 886,185 shares, compared to its average volume of 786,436. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $182.00 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $196.29. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $152.68 and a one year high of $243.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.54, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28.

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Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. Equities analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued 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 0.42%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.75%.

Insider Activity

In other 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 transaction of $179,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently weighed in on UHS. Stephens lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and cut their price objective for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 target price on the stock. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a "neutral" rating and set a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Seven 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 MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $228.38.

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.