Nomura Holdings Inc. Buys New Shares in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Nomura Holdings Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 3,302 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $592,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Quent Capital LLC lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 118.3% during the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Campbell Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Huntington National Bank lifted its stake in 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 during the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in 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 during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.7%

Universal Health Services stock opened at $195.44 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $12.70 billion, a PE ratio of 12.99, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $179.95 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $185.24. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $153.99 and a twelve month high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.36 by $0.48. The firm had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.16 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.70 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.41%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 4.49%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UHS has been the subject of several recent research reports. Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Stephens upped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. 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. Finally, Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price target for the company. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $224.77.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 16.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.

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