World Investment Advisors Sells 92,788 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

World Investment Advisors lessened its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 98.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,344 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 92,788 shares during the quarter. World Investment Advisors' holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $241,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Huntington National Bank increased its position in Universal Health Services by 55.6% during the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Kesler Norman & Wride LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at $593,000. Trexquant Investment LP boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Trexquant Investment LP now owns 24,831 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $4,455,000 after acquiring an additional 397 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,713,572 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $306,776,000 after purchasing an additional 52,042 shares in the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI raised its position in Universal Health Services by 157.4% in the fourth quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 80,469 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $14,438,000 after purchasing an additional 49,204 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

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Universal Health Services Stock Down 1.8 %

Shares of UHS traded down $3.19 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $175.05. The stock had a trading volume of 985,904 shares, compared to its average volume of 748,441. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $179.93 and a 200-day simple moving average of $192.84. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $152.69 and a 1-year high of $243.25. 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 capitalization of $11.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 company had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. Sell-side 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 announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were given 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 payout ratio is presently 4.75%.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The stock was 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 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 Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 16.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Barclays lowered their price objective on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Guggenheim began coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price target for the company. Finally, Stephens lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $228.77.

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.