Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank Sells 1,953 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lowered its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 13.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,064 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 1,953 shares during the quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $2,165,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in UHS. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Quent Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at $39,000. Huntington National Bank increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at $69,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 approximately $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have issued reports on UHS. Barclays lowered their target price on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 10th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Stephens increased their target price on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $230.75.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

NYSE:UHS traded up $0.63 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $178.71. The stock had a trading volume of 905,804 shares, compared to its average volume of 701,694. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $152.69 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The stock has a market cap of $11.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.88, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $182.25 and its 200 day simple moving average is $199.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.21 by $0.71. The business had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.45%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.75%.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

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.