Aviance Capital Partners LLC Makes New Investment in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Aviance Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 5,000 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $940,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. First Eagle Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 4,675,182 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $838,821,000 after purchasing an additional 44,099 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 3.1% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,713,572 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $306,776,000 after acquiring an additional 52,042 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 25.6% in the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,241,340 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $222,721,000 after acquiring an additional 253,385 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 4.7% in the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 624,143 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $111,984,000 after acquiring an additional 27,903 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 7.6% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 596,280 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $106,985,000 after purchasing an additional 42,088 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total transaction of $210,053.56. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 7,884 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,509,628.32. The trade was a 12.21% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 1.8%

Shares of NYSE UHS traded down $3.27 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $181.26. The stock had a trading volume of 800,820 shares, compared to its average volume of 788,821. The company has a market capitalization of $11.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.17, a PEG ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a quick ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $153.99 and a 1-year high of $243.25. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $183.30 and a 200 day moving average price of $181.54.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 net margin of 7.44% and a return on equity of 17.79%. Universal Health Services's revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.70 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Investors of record on Monday, June 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.44%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 4.49%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Guggenheim started coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective on the stock. Baird R W downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of 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. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, 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 research report on Monday, March 10th. 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 presently has a consensus 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.