Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Shares Down 3.5% - Here's What Happened

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report)'s stock price fell 3.5% on Friday . The company traded as low as $182.25 and last traded at $183.17. 280,869 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 40% from the average session volume of 468,326 shares. The stock had previously closed at $189.90.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. Barclays increased their price target on Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, November 9th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 25th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $226.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $226.14.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 2.2 %

The stock has a market capitalization of $12.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.34, a PEG ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.30. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $188.65 and a 200 day moving average of $207.56. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The company had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.55 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd were given 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 Tuesday, December 3rd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5.32%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total transaction of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 5,879 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,123,770.85. This represents a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in UHS. Empirical Finance LLC raised its position in Universal Health Services by 1.1% during the third quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 5,704 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $1,306,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.0% in the third quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 2,238 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $512,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 14.4% in the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 516 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $118,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 31.6% during the third quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 283 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the period. Finally, Banco Santander S.A. grew its position in Universal Health Services by 2.3% during the third quarter. Banco Santander S.A. now owns 3,032 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $694,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.