First Eagle Investment Management LLC Boosts Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

First Eagle Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 1.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 4,675,182 shares of the health services provider's stock after buying an additional 44,099 shares during the period. Universal Health Services comprises 1.9% of First Eagle Investment Management LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest holding. First Eagle Investment Management LLC owned approximately 7.09% of Universal Health Services worth $838,821,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in UHS. Sigma Planning Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth approximately $256,000. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth approximately $225,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 70.6% during the third quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 476 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $109,000 after buying an additional 197 shares in the last quarter. OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth approximately $426,000. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 10.8% during the third quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 162,338 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $37,177,000 after buying an additional 15,827 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Stephens increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. TD Cowen decreased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $230.75.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded up $1.64 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $176.22. The stock had a trading volume of 903,051 shares, compared to its average volume of 700,339. The company's 50-day moving average price is $182.70 and its 200-day moving average price is $200.27. The company has a market capitalization of $11.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.72, 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 fifty-two week low of $152.69 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. The business had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations 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, equities research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.45%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 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.