Geode Capital Management LLC Increases Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 3.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,713,572 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 52,042 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC owned approximately 2.60% of Universal Health Services worth $306,776,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. National Bank of Canada FI grew its position in Universal Health Services by 157.4% during the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 80,469 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $14,438,000 after purchasing an additional 49,204 shares during the period. HighPoint Advisor Group LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth about $351,000. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its position in Universal Health Services by 7.7% during the fourth quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 143,839 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $25,808,000 after acquiring an additional 10,340 shares in the last quarter. AIA Group Ltd acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $314,000. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 73.3% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 23,049 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $4,135,000 after purchasing an additional 9,747 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UHS has been the subject of several recent research reports. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $200.00 target price for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Stephens raised their target price on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target 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. Finally, Barclays dropped 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. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $228.38.

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 that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 7.4 %

Universal Health Services stock opened at $174.69 on Friday. 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 50 day moving average price of $181.75 and a 200 day moving average price of $195.57. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $152.69 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25. The company has a market capitalization of $11.36 billion, a PE ratio of 11.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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. 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. Research analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a $0.20 dividend. 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 4.75%.

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.