QSM Asset Management Ltd Purchases Shares of 39,577 Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

QSM Asset Management Ltd purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 39,577 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $7,045,000. Universal Health Services accounts for about 6.1% of QSM Asset Management Ltd's portfolio, making the stock its 8th biggest position. QSM Asset Management Ltd owned about 0.06% of Universal Health Services at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Quent Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the period. Campbell Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at about $46,000. Huntington National Bank grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 55.6% in the fourth 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its position in 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.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have issued reports on UHS. Baird R W lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Guggenheim assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 10th. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $224.77.

Insider Activity 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 shares were sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total transaction of $210,053.56. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 7,884 shares in the company, valued at $1,509,628.32. This trade represents a 12.21% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 16.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS stock traded down $0.73 on Friday, reaching $190.32. The company had a trading volume of 814,853 shares, compared to its average volume of 754,078. The business's 50-day moving average is $181.86 and its 200 day moving average is $184.37. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $153.99 and a one year 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 stock has a market capitalization of $12.37 billion, a PE ratio of 12.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 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 business had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.16 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.70 EPS. The firm's revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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