NBC Securities Inc. Raises Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

NBC Securities Inc. raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 106,400.0% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 8,520 shares of the health services provider's stock after buying an additional 8,512 shares during the quarter. NBC Securities Inc.'s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,600,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at $29,000. Quent Capital LLC lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Campbell Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter valued at about $46,000. Huntington National Bank grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 55.6% during the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $50,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 30.7% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 455 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $81,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.2%

Shares of Universal Health Services stock traded up $0.37 during trading on Friday, hitting $189.46. The stock had a trading volume of 379,386 shares, compared to its average volume of 752,265. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $153.99 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $182.08 and its 200-day simple moving average is $183.98. The stock has a market cap of $12.32 billion, a PE ratio of 12.60, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.31.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The business had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.16 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.70 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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 dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 2nd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is currently 4.49%.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated 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 now directly owns 7,884 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,509,628.32. The trade was a 12.21% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 16.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently commented on UHS. Stephens boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $224.00 price objective (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Barclays increased their target price on Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 target price for the company. Finally, Baird R W downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $224.77.

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.