LPL Financial LLC Grows Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

LPL Financial LLC grew its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 37.8% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 41,750 shares of the health services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 11,454 shares during the quarter. LPL Financial LLC owned about 0.06% of Universal Health Services worth $7,845,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Sentry Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 49.3% during the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. CX Institutional purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth approximately $74,000. Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $96,000. Finally, Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 18.2% in the 4th quarter. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. now owns 636 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $114,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

UHS stock traded up $0.44 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $178.95. 376,298 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 848,708. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $173.85 and its 200-day moving average price is $178.99. The stock has a market cap of $11.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.43, a PEG ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.24. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $152.33 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.85 by $0.50. The firm had revenue of $4.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.24 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 18.25% and a net margin of 7.66%. Universal Health Services's revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $4.31 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.21%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UHS has been the topic of several analyst reports. Robert W. Baird set a $203.00 target price on Universal Health Services and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday. Wall Street Zen downgraded Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Sunday. UBS Group set a $227.00 target price on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Universal Health Services from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on 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. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $213.77.

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.