Ethic Inc. Reduces Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Ethic Inc. lowered its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 45.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,538 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 1,305 shares during the period. Ethic Inc.'s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $276,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Quent Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the period. Campbell Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter valued at about $46,000. Huntington National Bank increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 55.6% during the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $50,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 30.7% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 455 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $81,000 after buying an additional 107 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Baird R W lowered Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Robert W. Baird reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $224.00 price objective (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned 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 price target of $224.77.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 16.40% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.7%

UHS stock traded down $1.38 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $195.44. 552,473 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 754,299. The stock has a market cap of $12.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $153.99 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The firm's 50 day moving average is $179.95 and its two-hundred day moving average is $185.24.

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, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.36 by $0.48. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The company had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.16 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.70 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Investors of record on Monday, June 2nd will be issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.41%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 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.