Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by KBC Group NV

KBC Group NV decreased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 3.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 54,133 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 2,122 shares during the quarter. KBC Group NV owned about 0.08% of Universal Health Services worth $10,172,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Sentry Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth about $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its position 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 worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Campbell Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Huntington National Bank lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 55.6% in the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $50,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CX Institutional purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $74,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 sale, the director owned 7,884 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,509,628.32. This trade represents a 12.21% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Guggenheim assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price target for the company. Robert W. Baird restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $224.00 target price (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price target on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, Baird R W lowered Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $224.77.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 6.0%

NYSE:UHS traded up $11.12 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $195.59. The stock had a trading volume of 665,323 shares, compared to its average volume of 789,189. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $182.67 and a 200 day moving average of $181.37. The company has a market capitalization of $12.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.98, a PEG ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.28. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $153.99 and a one year high of $243.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.36 by $0.48. The business had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.16 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 17.79% and a net margin of 7.44%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $3.70 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders 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 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.41%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is presently 4.49%.

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.