Renaissance Technologies LLC Trims Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Renaissance Technologies LLC decreased its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 2.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 145,100 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 3,000 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC owned 0.22% of Universal Health Services worth $26,034,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of UHS. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth about $67,964,000. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 25.6% in the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,241,340 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $222,721,000 after purchasing an additional 253,385 shares during the period. Amundi grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 189.5% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 360,070 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $68,532,000 after buying an additional 235,689 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,301,000. Finally, Teacher Retirement System of Texas lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 57.1% in the fourth quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 287,278 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $51,543,000 after buying an additional 104,455 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

NYSE:UHS traded up $0.91 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $174.57. The company's stock had a trading volume of 585,657 shares, compared to its average volume of 747,813. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $152.69 and a 52-week 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 business's 50-day moving average is $178.88 and its two-hundred day moving average is $191.54. The company has a market capitalization of $11.35 billion, a PE ratio of 11.61, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21.

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 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. The business had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 4.75%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Universal Health Services 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 transaction of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at approximately $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 SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on UHS shares. Baird R W cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday. Robert W. Baird reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $224.00 target price (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday. Stephens boosted their price target 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. Guggenheim assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 target price on the stock. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $224.92.

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.