Meeder Asset Management Inc. Grows Stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Meeder Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 738.1% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 3,428 shares of the health services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 3,019 shares during the quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc.'s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $644,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth about $67,964,000. Invesco Ltd. increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 25.6% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,241,340 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $222,721,000 after purchasing an additional 253,385 shares in the last quarter. Freestone Grove Partners LP acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth about $41,155,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 59.4% during the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 590,389 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $105,928,000 after purchasing an additional 219,942 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 119.1% during the 4th quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 322,163 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $57,802,000 after purchasing an additional 175,131 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the director directly owned 7,884 shares in the company, 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 currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $257.00 to $259.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday. UBS Group set a $227.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday. Bank of America lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $215.00 to $185.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Guggenheim began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Stephens raised shares of Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, June 2nd. 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 company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $218.92.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 2.1%

Shares of Universal Health Services stock traded down $3.47 on Friday, hitting $162.98. The stock had a trading volume of 1,130,460 shares, compared to its average volume of 857,704. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $177.42 and a 200 day moving average of $180.01. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $152.33 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.29. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.58, a PEG ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 company had revenue of $4.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.24 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 18.22% and a net margin of 7.66%. The firm's revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $4.31 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 2nd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) 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.