Forsta AP Fonden Lowers Stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Key Points

• Forsta AP Fonden has reduced its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. by 17.0%, now holding 9,300 shares worth approximately $1.75 million.
• Institutional investors own 86.05% of Universal Health Services, with firms like Citigroup and Ontario Teachers Pension Plan significantly increasing their stakes in the first quarter.
• Universal Health Services reported $5.35 EPS for the last quarter, exceeding estimates, along with a 9.6% year-over-year revenue increase to $4.28 billion.

Forsta AP Fonden reduced its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 17.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,300 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 1,900 shares during the period. Forsta AP Fonden's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,747,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in UHS. Freestone Grove Partners LP bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth approximately $41,155,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 59.4% during the fourth quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 590,389 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $105,928,000 after acquiring an additional 219,942 shares during the last quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 119.1% during the fourth quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 322,163 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $57,802,000 after acquiring an additional 175,131 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,301,000. Finally, Twinbeech Capital LP increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 1,151.1% during the fourth quarter. Twinbeech Capital LP now owns 152,454 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $27,353,000 after acquiring an additional 140,268 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.2%

NYSE:UHS traded down $0.43 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $178.31. The stock had a trading volume of 747,943 shares, compared to its average volume of 849,676. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $152.33 and a one year high of $243.25. The company has a market capitalization of $11.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.39, a PEG ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.24. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $173.65 and a 200 day moving average of $178.90. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.85 by $0.50. The company had revenue of $4.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.24 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 18.25% and a net margin of 7.66%. Universal Health Services's revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $4.31 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.4%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is currently 4.21%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UHS has been the topic of several analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Universal Health Services from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Universal Health Services from $225.00 to $210.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Stephens raised Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their target price on 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. Finally, Bank of America cut Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and cut their target price for the company from $215.00 to $185.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $213.77.

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.