Lecap Asset Management Ltd. Trims Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Lecap Asset Management Ltd. trimmed its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 50.0% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,710 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 4,707 shares during the quarter. Lecap Asset Management Ltd.'s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $885,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of UHS. Moran Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 64.4% in the 1st quarter. Moran Wealth Management LLC now owns 51,994 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $9,770,000 after buying an additional 20,370 shares in the last quarter. Consolidated Investment Group LLC increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 12.7% during the first quarter. Consolidated Investment Group LLC now owns 22,985 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $4,319,000 after buying an additional 2,585 shares during the last quarter. Intact Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 25.0% during the 1st quarter. Intact Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,000 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $188,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Compass Ion Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at $204,000. Finally, Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 647.2% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 23,501 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $4,416,000 after purchasing an additional 20,356 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UHS traded up $3.24 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $180.67. 145,304 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 776,598. The company has a market capitalization of $11.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.13, a PEG ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.31. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $153.99 and a 1 year high of $243.25. 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 company's 50-day moving average is $180.76 and its two-hundred day moving average is $181.45.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.16 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.70 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 2nd were issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.44%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 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 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 completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 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 is accessible through the SEC website. 16.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have commented on UHS shares. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price target for the company. Baird R W cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Stephens raised shares of Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, June 2nd. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. Finally, Robert W. Baird restated a "neutral" rating and set a $224.00 target price (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $224.77.

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.