Metis Global Partners LLC Acquires 90 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Metis Global Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 4.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,988 shares of the health services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 90 shares during the period. Metis Global Partners LLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $357,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $39,000. Quent Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 118.3% during the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Huntington National Bank increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 414.3% during the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the period. Finally, Sentry Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth $64,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated 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 owns 5,879 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. The trade was a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 16.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 2.9 %

Shares of UHS stock opened at $178.25 on Thursday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $152.68 and a 1-year high of $243.25. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $184.15 and its 200 day moving average price is $203.91. 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 company has a market cap of $11.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 firm had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. On average, research analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date is 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 4.75%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have commented on UHS. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective 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. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. Barclays reduced their price objective on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Stephens raised their price objective 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. Finally, Bank of America began coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price objective on the stock. Six investment 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 stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $228.77.

Universal Health Services 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.