ProShare Advisors LLC Sells 12,047 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

ProShare Advisors LLC cut its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 42.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 16,603 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 12,047 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLC's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $2,979,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Quent Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 118.3% during the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the period. Campbell Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth $46,000. Huntington National Bank raised its holdings 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 worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its holdings 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 worth $81,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of Universal Health Services 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 transaction, the director now owns 7,884 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,509,628.32. This trade represents a 12.21% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently commented on UHS. Stephens raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price objective on the stock. Baird R W lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, Robert W. Baird restated 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. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $224.77.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.2%

UHS stock traded down $0.36 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $186.29. The company's stock had a trading volume of 439,357 shares, compared to its average volume of 753,435. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $153.99 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The company's fifty day moving average price is $180.64 and its 200 day moving average price is $185.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.39, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 firm had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.16 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.70 EPS. The company's revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 2nd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.49%.

About Universal Health Services

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.