Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by Principal Financial Group Inc.

Principal Financial Group Inc. lessened its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 5.9% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 89,362 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 5,617 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned approximately 0.14% of Universal Health Services worth $16,791,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in UHS. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth $67,964,000. Invesco Ltd. increased its position in Universal Health Services by 25.6% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,241,340 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $222,721,000 after purchasing an additional 253,385 shares in the last quarter. Freestone Grove Partners LP purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth about $41,155,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in Universal Health Services by 59.4% during the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 590,389 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $105,928,000 after purchasing an additional 219,942 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP increased its position in Universal Health Services by 119.1% during the 4th quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 322,163 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $57,802,000 after purchasing an additional 175,131 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.8%

UHS traded down $1.47 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $182.58. The company's stock had a trading volume of 402,466 shares, compared to its average volume of 787,128. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The firm has a market cap of $11.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.25, a PEG ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.28. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $183.88 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $181.59. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $153.99 and a 52-week high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.36 by $0.48. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 17.79% and a net margin of 7.44%. The business had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.16 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.70 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 2nd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is currently 4.49%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the business'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 completion of the sale, the director owned 7,884 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,509,628.32. The trade was 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. Insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Baird R W cut Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Stephens upgraded Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, June 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price objective on Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target 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.