Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Stake Lowered by Foundry Partners LLC

Foundry Partners LLC cut its holdings 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 & Exchange Commission. The fund 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 quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of UHS. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.1% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,713,572 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $306,776,000 after purchasing an additional 52,042 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 25.6% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,241,340 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $222,721,000 after buying an additional 253,385 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 4.7% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 624,143 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $111,984,000 after buying an additional 27,903 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 7.6% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 596,280 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $106,985,000 after buying an additional 42,088 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 59.4% during the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 590,389 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $105,928,000 after purchasing an additional 219,942 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have commented on UHS shares. Barclays lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Bank of America cut Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $215.00 to $185.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Baird R W cut Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Guggenheim began coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Robert W. Baird reaffirmed 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. One 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 data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $221.85.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UHS traded up $0.95 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $163.63. The company's stock had a trading volume of 358,528 shares, compared to its average volume of 787,514. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.64 billion, a PE ratio of 9.24, a P/E/G 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. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $182.99 and a two-hundred day moving average of $181.40. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $153.99 and a 52 week high of $243.25.

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 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.36 by $0.48. The company had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.16 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 17.79% and a net margin of 7.44%. Universal Health Services's quarterly revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $3.70 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.49%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.49%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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

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.