Pallas Capital Advisors LLC Invests $558,000 in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Pallas Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 2,969 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $558,000.

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

Universal Health Services Price Performance

UHS traded down $2.71 during trading on Friday, reaching $170.95. The stock had a trading volume of 667,812 shares, compared to its average volume of 760,724. The stock has a market cap of $11.11 billion, a PE ratio of 11.37, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.31. 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 one year low of $153.99 and a one year high of $243.25. The business has a 50-day moving average of $181.49 and a 200-day moving average of $182.93.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 firm's revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.70 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed 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 of this dividend is Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.47%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 4.49%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on UHS. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on 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. Robert W. Baird reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $224.00 price objective (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Barclays upped their price objective on Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. Guggenheim initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $224.77.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated 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 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 ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

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.