Merit Financial Group LLC Makes New $822,000 Investment in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Merit Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 4,376 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $822,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth approximately $67,964,000. Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 25.6% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,241,340 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $222,721,000 after acquiring an additional 253,385 shares in the last quarter. Amundi boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 189.5% in the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 360,070 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $68,532,000 after acquiring an additional 235,689 shares in the last quarter. Freestone Grove Partners LP purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth $41,155,000. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 59.4% during the fourth quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 590,389 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $105,928,000 after acquiring an additional 219,942 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of UHS stock traded up $1.23 on Thursday, reaching $173.52. The stock had a trading volume of 684,013 shares, compared to its average volume of 759,984. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $153.99 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The stock has a market cap of $11.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $181.49 and a 200 day simple moving average of $183.49.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.36 by $0.48. The business had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.16 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.70 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Investors of record on Monday, June 2nd will be issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 2nd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 4.49%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UHS has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Guggenheim initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price target on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on shares of 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. Baird R W downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Finally, Stephens raised Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, June 2nd. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $224.77.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In related 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 value of $210,053.56. Following the transaction, 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 document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 16.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Universal Health Services

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.