LSV Asset Management Cuts Stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Key Points

• LSV Asset Management reduced its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. by 3.8%, holding approximately 815,561 shares valued at $153.24 million as of the latest SEC filing.
• Institutional investors and hedge funds together own 86.05% of Universal Health Services stock, reflecting significant investor confidence in the company.
• Universal Health Services recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, with a projected annual yield of 0.5% and the ex-dividend date set for September 2nd.

LSV Asset Management cut its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 3.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 815,561 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 32,090 shares during the quarter. LSV Asset Management owned approximately 1.25% of Universal Health Services worth $153,244,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at about $67,964,000. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 8.2% in the fourth quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 2,344 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $446,000 after purchasing an additional 177 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 73.3% in the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 23,049 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $4,135,000 after purchasing an additional 9,747 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 7.7% during the fourth quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 143,839 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $25,808,000 after acquiring an additional 10,340 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HighPoint Advisor Group LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $351,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on UHS shares. 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. Robert W. Baird reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $224.00 price objective (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $257.00 to $259.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday. 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, Stephens raised shares of Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, June 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $218.92.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the director directly owned 7,884 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,509,628.32. This represents a 12.21% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 2.1%

Universal Health Services stock traded down $3.47 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $162.98. The stock had a trading volume of 1,130,460 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,034,741. The company has a market capitalization of $10.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.58, a PEG ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $176.95 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $179.82. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $152.33 and a one year high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 1.19.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.85 by $0.50. The business had revenue of $4.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.24 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 7.66% and a return on equity of 18.22%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $4.31 EPS. On average, analysts expect 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 will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 2nd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is currently 4.21%.

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.