Vanguard Group Inc. Cuts Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Vanguard Group Inc. trimmed its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 1.0% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 7,080,303 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 73,039 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. owned 10.73% of Universal Health Services worth $1,270,348,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Advisors Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 41.8% during the third quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,485 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $340,000 after purchasing an additional 438 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $308,000. Cerity Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 86.4% in the 3rd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 21,047 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $4,820,000 after buying an additional 9,755 shares during the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 13.0% during the third quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 7,340 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $1,681,000 after acquiring an additional 843 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fisher Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth $543,000. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on UHS. Stephens raised 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. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased 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 note on Monday, March 10th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $228.38.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded down $0.37 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $187.53. 640,322 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 735,946. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $181.95 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $196.34. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.69 and a 12 month high of $243.25.

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 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. On average, equities 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 declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 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.