Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Short Interest Update

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) was the target of a large increase in short interest in March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,790,000 shares, an increase of 43.1% from the February 28th total of 1,950,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 759,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.7 days. Currently, 5.2% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded down $0.37 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $187.53. 640,322 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 735,946. Universal Health Services has a 52-week low of $152.69 and a 52-week high of $243.25. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $181.95 and a 200 day moving average of $196.34. 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 $12.19 billion, a PE ratio of 12.47, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32.

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

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid 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 0.43%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 4.75%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently weighed in on UHS. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $200.00 price target on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Finally, 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. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $228.38.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the company’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 completion of the sale, the director now owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 16.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UHS. Fisher Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth $543,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 12.6% during the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 145,259 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $33,266,000 after acquiring an additional 16,199 shares during the last quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth about $427,000. Freedom Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 46.3% in the third quarter. Freedom Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,849 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $423,000 after purchasing an additional 585 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 28.5% in the third quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 14,017 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $3,210,000 after purchasing an additional 3,108 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.