LSV Asset Management Sells 29,136 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

LSV Asset Management lowered its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 3.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 847,651 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 29,136 shares during the period. LSV Asset Management’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $152,086,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at about $67,964,000. Invesco Ltd. raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 25.6% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,241,340 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $222,721,000 after purchasing an additional 253,385 shares during the period. Amundi increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 189.5% in the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 360,070 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $68,532,000 after acquiring an additional 235,689 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth $29,301,000. Finally, Teacher Retirement System of Texas lifted its holdings in 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 buying an additional 104,455 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 5.8 %

UHS opened at $183.31 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $180.53 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $193.74. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $152.69 and a 52 week high of $243.25. The company has a market capitalization of $11.92 billion, a PE ratio of 12.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

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, 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 company had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. Analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.44%. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is 4.75%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Barclays dropped their price objective 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. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $200.00 target price on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their target price for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Guggenheim began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday. They set a “buy” rating and a $208.00 target price on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Seven 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 company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $226.93.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the company’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 transaction of $179,160.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.