Baker Avenue Asset Management LP Purchases 1,962 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Baker Avenue Asset Management LP lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 15.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 14,457 shares of the health services provider's stock after buying an additional 1,962 shares during the period. Baker Avenue Asset Management LP's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $2,594,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Barclays PLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 13.4% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 188,765 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $43,227,000 after purchasing an additional 22,369 shares in the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 208.0% during the 3rd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 12,100 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $2,771,000 after buying an additional 8,171 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its position in Universal Health Services by 163.9% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 133,499 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $29,430,000 after acquiring an additional 82,913 shares during the period. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at $202,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.9% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,197,537 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $274,248,000 after purchasing an additional 10,578 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price target for the company. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Guggenheim initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $224.77.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated 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 owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 16.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 1.1 %

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded down $2.04 during trading on Friday, hitting $181.73. The stock had a trading volume of 828,395 shares, compared to its average volume of 752,708. The company has a market capitalization of $11.81 billion, a PE ratio of 12.08, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The firm's fifty day moving average is $176.82 and its 200 day moving average is $185.91. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $153.99 and a 12 month high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.36 by $0.48. The firm had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.16 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.70 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is currently 4.49%.

Universal Health Services Company 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.