Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by Bank of Nova Scotia

Key Points

• Bank of Nova Scotia has reduced its stake in Universal Health Services by 34.9% in the first quarter, owning 5,095 shares worth approximately $957,000 after selling 2,737 shares.
• Universal Health Services recently reported earnings per share of $5.35, exceeding the consensus estimate of $4.85, indicating a rise in revenue of 9.6% year-over-year.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.20 to be paid on September 16th, reflecting a 0.5% dividend yield and a payout ratio of 4.21%.

Bank of Nova Scotia lowered its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 34.9% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,095 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 2,737 shares during the quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $957,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. raised its position in Universal Health Services by 99.2% in the fourth quarter. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. now owns 12,450 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $2,234,000 after purchasing an additional 6,200 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its position in Universal Health Services by 30.6% in the fourth quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 12,858 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $2,307,000 after purchasing an additional 3,011 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $1,141,000. Brown Advisory Inc. raised its position in Universal Health Services by 5.4% in the first quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 5,152 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $968,000 after purchasing an additional 264 shares during the period. Finally, CX Institutional purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $74,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 2.1%

Universal Health Services stock traded up $3.49 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $172.51. The stock had a trading volume of 606,363 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,056,873. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The stock has a market cap of $11.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.08, a P/E/G ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.24. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.33 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $174.64 and a 200 day moving average price of $179.19.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.35 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.85 by $0.50. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 18.22% and a net margin of 7.66%. The company had revenue of $4.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.24 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $4.31 earnings per share. Universal Health Services's quarterly revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict 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 will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 2nd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is presently 4.21%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total value of $210,053.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 7,884 shares in the company, valued at $1,509,628.32. The trade was a 12.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 16.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have commented on UHS. Wall Street Zen lowered Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Sunday. Barclays raised their price objective on Universal Health Services from $257.00 to $259.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their target price on 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. UBS Group set a $227.00 target price on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Universal Health Services from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $216.54.

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.