Kera Capital Partners Inc. Makes New $270,000 Investment in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Kera Capital Partners Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 1,439 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $270,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UHS. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 73.3% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 23,049 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $4,135,000 after purchasing an additional 9,747 shares during the period. QSM Asset Management Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth about $7,045,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth about $8,495,000. Forum Financial Management LP boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 20.0% during the 4th quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 1,953 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $350,000 after acquiring an additional 326 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GF Fund Management CO. LTD. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter valued at about $254,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on UHS. 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 research note on Monday, March 10th. Barclays boosted their price target 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. Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Baird R W lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, Stephens boosted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $224.77.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total value of $210,053.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,884 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,509,628.32. This represents a 12.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

UHS stock traded down $0.73 on Friday, reaching $190.32. The company had a trading volume of 814,853 shares, compared to its average volume of 754,078. The company's fifty day moving average is $181.86 and its 200 day moving average is $184.37. The company has a market cap of $12.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.65, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $153.99 and a 1 year high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted 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 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.16 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.70 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 2nd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is currently 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.