Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by Foundry Partners LLC

Foundry Partners LLC cut its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 94.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,022 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 78,383 shares during the quarter. Foundry Partners LLC's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $944,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 49.3% during the first quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 5.9% during the fourth quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,266 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $227,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.5% during the fourth quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 15,512 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $2,783,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.2% during the first quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 7,338 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $1,379,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 18.2% during the fourth quarter. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. now owns 636 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $114,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 3.8%

Universal Health Services stock traded down $6.49 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $162.26. 832,047 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 784,877. The company's fifty day moving average price is $182.99 and its 200-day moving average price is $181.40. The company has a market cap of $10.55 billion, a PE ratio of 9.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.32 and a quick ratio of 1.23. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $153.99 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 company had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.16 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.70 EPS. Universal Health Services's quarterly revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.49%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is currently 4.49%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total transaction of $210,053.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 7,884 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,509,628.32. This trade represents a 12.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 16.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently commented on UHS. Bank of America downgraded Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $215.00 to $185.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Baird R W lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, Guggenheim began 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 target on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $221.85.

Universal Health Services 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.