Kesler Norman & Wride LLC Purchases New Shares in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Kesler Norman & Wride LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 3,303 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $593,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Quent Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 118.3% during the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the period. Campbell Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $69,000. Finally, Board of the Pension Protection Fund acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth approximately $72,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UHS has been the subject of several analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $226.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. 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’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $228.38.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Universal Health Services stock opened at $189.09 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $182.00 and a 200-day moving average of $196.29. The company has a market capitalization of $12.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.57, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $152.69 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly 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. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The firm had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.01 billion. On average, equities research analysts predict 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 announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.42%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is presently 4.75%.

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.