SG Americas Securities LLC Makes New $1.14 Million Investment in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 6,073 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,141,000.

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have weighed in on UHS shares. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 10th. Stephens upgraded shares of Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, June 2nd. Guggenheim began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $208.00 target price for the company. Finally, Robert W. Baird reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $224.00 target price (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research 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 stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $224.77.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the firm's 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 completion of the sale, 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 filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UHS traded down $0.65 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $171.11. 986,784 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 769,546. The company has a market cap of $11.12 billion, a PE ratio of 9.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.31. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $153.99 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.32 and a quick ratio of 1.23. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $181.22 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $182.47.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 firm had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.16 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.70 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, 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 was paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.47%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 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.