Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Holdings Decreased by O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC

O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC reduced its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 1.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 35,952 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 625 shares during the period. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC owned about 0.05% of Universal Health Services worth $6,451,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth approximately $67,964,000. Amundi lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 189.5% in the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 360,070 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $68,532,000 after buying an additional 235,689 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter valued at $29,301,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 57.1% during the 4th quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 287,278 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $51,543,000 after acquiring an additional 104,455 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AustralianSuper Pty Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth $18,709,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 16.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.2 %

Universal Health Services stock opened at $187.53 on Wednesday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $152.69 and a 52 week high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.19 billion, a PE ratio of 12.47, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $181.95 and its 200-day simple moving average is $196.34.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. The company had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. Equities research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.43%. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is 4.75%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on UHS shares. Stephens boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their price objective for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Finally, Barclays cut their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $228.38.

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.