Paragon Capital Management Inc. Acquires Shares of 8,265 Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Paragon Capital Management Inc. 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 filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 8,265 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,553,000. Universal Health Services accounts for 1.3% of Paragon Capital Management Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest holding.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UHS. First Eagle Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 4,675,182 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $838,821,000 after buying an additional 44,099 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in Universal Health Services by 3.1% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,713,572 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $306,776,000 after acquiring an additional 52,042 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. raised its position in Universal Health Services by 25.6% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,241,340 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $222,721,000 after acquiring an additional 253,385 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 4.7% in the fourth quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 624,143 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $111,984,000 after acquiring an additional 27,903 shares during the period. Finally, Northern Trust Corp boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 7.6% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 596,280 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $106,985,000 after purchasing an additional 42,088 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently issued reports on UHS. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered 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. Barclays raised 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. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $224.00 price target (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, Guggenheim initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective on the stock. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $224.77.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 owns 7,884 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,509,628.32. This represents a 12.21% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 1.1%

Shares of UHS opened at $177.68 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $180.76 and a 200 day moving average price of $181.45. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $153.99 and a one year high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.97, a PEG ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.31.

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 company had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.16 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 7.44% and a return on equity of 17.79%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.70 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 2nd were given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.45%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.49%.

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.

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