Exchange Traded Concepts LLC Purchases 11,884 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Exchange Traded Concepts LLC grew its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 510.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 14,214 shares of the health services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 11,884 shares during the period. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $2,671,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Sentry Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 49.3% in the first quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Campbell Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth approximately $46,000. Huntington National Bank increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 55.6% during the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CX Institutional acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at $74,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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 stock was sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total value of $210,053.56. Following the transaction, the director now owns 7,884 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,509,628.32. The trade was a 12.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS stock traded up $0.54 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $171.78. The company had a trading volume of 1,572,510 shares, compared to its average volume of 775,901. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $153.99 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.32. The firm's fifty day moving average is $180.76 and its 200 day moving average is $182.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.64, a PEG ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.31.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 analyst estimates of $4.16 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.70 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd were given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.47%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.49%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have weighed in on UHS. Baird R W cut Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 10th. 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. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Guggenheim assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective for the company. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock 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.