World Investment Advisors LLC Purchases New Shares in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

World Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 94,132 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $21,557,000. World Investment Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.14% of Universal Health Services as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at about $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the second quarter valued at approximately $35,000. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Finally, Huntington National Bank grew its position in Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of UHS traded down $4.27 on Thursday, reaching $186.44. 601,358 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 680,091. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $208.68 and its 200-day moving average price is $208.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The firm has a market cap of $12.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.40, a P/E/G ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.28. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $143.96 and a 12 month high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results 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 business had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.55 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 3rd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 5.32%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 28th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 25th. UBS Group boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Bank of America started coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $223.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $225.50.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total value of $308,516.10. Following the sale, the director now owns 5,879 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This represents a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

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.