Convergence Investment Partners LLC Trims Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Convergence Investment Partners LLC lowered its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 36.8% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 5,563 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 3,246 shares during the quarter. Convergence Investment Partners LLC's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,045,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 99.2% in the 4th quarter. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. now owns 12,450 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $2,234,000 after buying an additional 6,200 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 30.6% in the 4th quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 12,858 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $2,307,000 after buying an additional 3,011 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at about $1,141,000. Brown Advisory Inc. increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 5.4% in the 1st quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 5,152 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $968,000 after buying an additional 264 shares during the period. Finally, CX Institutional bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at about $74,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.1%

UHS stock traded down $0.15 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $155.32. The company had a trading volume of 1,187,511 shares, compared to its average volume of 848,690. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $152.96 and a 52 week high of $243.25. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $179.79 and its 200 day moving average price is $180.70. The stock has a market cap of $10.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.72, a PEG ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.36 by $0.48. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 17.79% and a net margin of 7.44%. The firm had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.16 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.70 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.52%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 2nd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is currently 4.49%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UHS has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Stephens raised Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. Bank of America lowered Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $215.00 to $185.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. Barclays upped their target price on Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. Guggenheim started coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $208.00 target price for the company. Finally, Baird R W lowered Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $221.85.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were 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 sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

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.