Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC Boosts Stock Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 446.5% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 53,549 shares of the health services provider's stock after buying an additional 43,751 shares during the period. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC owned 0.08% of Universal Health Services worth $9,608,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in UHS. CastleKnight Management LP lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 156.8% during the fourth quarter. CastleKnight Management LP now owns 4,750 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $852,000 after purchasing an additional 2,900 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 30.6% during the 4th quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 12,858 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $2,307,000 after buying an additional 3,011 shares during the last quarter. Centiva Capital LP boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 21.5% in the 4th quarter. Centiva Capital LP now owns 20,531 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $3,684,000 after buying an additional 3,630 shares in the last quarter. BOKF NA purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at $539,000. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 19.6% during the 4th quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 215,165 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $38,605,000 after acquiring an additional 35,292 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction 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 completion of the transaction, the director now owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 1.5 %

NYSE UHS opened at $186.85 on Thursday. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $12.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.42, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.29. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $153.99 and a 52-week high of $243.25. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $176.49 and a 200 day moving average price of $186.94.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.36 by $0.48. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.16 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.70 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS 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 given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.43%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is currently 4.49%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UHS has been the topic of several research reports. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price objective 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. Stephens boosted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Barclays raised their target price 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. Finally, Guggenheim initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price target for the company. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $224.77.

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.

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