Prudential Financial Inc. Sells 8,214 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Prudential Financial Inc. trimmed its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 13.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 51,056 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 8,214 shares during the quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. owned approximately 0.08% of Universal Health Services worth $9,160,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. First Eagle Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 4,675,182 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $838,821,000 after buying an additional 44,099 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 0.6% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,724,075 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $623,840,000 after acquiring an additional 17,527 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,661,530 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $379,403,000 after buying an additional 63,754 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 0.9% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,197,537 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $274,248,000 after acquiring an additional 10,578 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in Universal Health Services by 4.7% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 624,143 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $111,984,000 after purchasing an additional 27,903 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have commented on UHS shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $226.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and dropped their target price for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Finally, Stephens upped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $228.38.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UHS traded down $0.22 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $188.56. The company had a trading volume of 886,354 shares, compared to its average volume of 736,363. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $152.69 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $181.97 and its 200-day moving average price is $196.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company has a market capitalization of $12.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.54, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 firm had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. On average, sell-side analysts forecast 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 declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.42%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is presently 4.75%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the transaction, 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 position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 16.10% of the stock is owned by company 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.