Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio Takes $5.71 Million Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 31,819 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $5,709,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in UHS. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Quent Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the 4th 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. purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Huntington National Bank raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 55.6% in the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 30.7% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 455 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $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 Transactions at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 owns 7,884 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,509,628.32. The trade was a 12.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 16.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of UHS traded down $0.73 on Friday, hitting $190.32. The company's stock had a trading volume of 814,853 shares, compared to its average volume of 754,078. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $153.99 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $181.86 and its 200-day moving average price is $184.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.65, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.29.

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

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.42%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is presently 4.49%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on UHS shares. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $224.00 target price (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Baird R W cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price target for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target 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. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $224.77.

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.