Mackenzie Financial Corp Sells 13,415 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Mackenzie Financial Corp decreased its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 14.8% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 77,218 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 13,415 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp owned approximately 0.12% of Universal Health Services worth $14,509,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter valued at $67,964,000. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 0.6% during the fourth quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 18,154 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $3,257,000 after buying an additional 112 shares during the period. DnB Asset Management AS increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.5% in the fourth quarter. DnB Asset Management AS now owns 10,967 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $1,968,000 after buying an additional 367 shares during the period. Allstate Corp bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at about $311,000. Finally, CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 8.2% during the 4th quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 2,344 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $446,000 after acquiring an additional 177 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 2.1%

Universal Health Services stock traded down $3.47 on Friday, hitting $162.98. 1,130,460 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 978,217. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $152.33 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The firm has a market cap of $10.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $177.42 and its 200 day simple moving average is $180.01.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.85 by $0.50. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 7.66% and a return on equity of 18.22%. The company had revenue of $4.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.24 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $4.31 EPS. Universal Health Services's revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side 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 disclosed 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 2nd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is presently 4.21%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the company'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 value of $210,053.56. Following the transaction, 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 hyperlink. 16.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have weighed in on UHS shares. Stephens upgraded Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, June 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. UBS Group set a $227.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday. Bank of America cut Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and cut their target price for the stock from $215.00 to $185.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Finally, Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $224.00 price target (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $218.92.

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.