Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC

Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 92.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,845 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 50,260 shares during the quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $722,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in UHS. US Bancorp DE lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 8.8% during the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 2,435 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $437,000 after purchasing an additional 197 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 12.7% in the fourth quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 46,890 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $8,413,000 after acquiring an additional 5,267 shares during the last quarter. Atria Investments Inc boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 9.7% in the fourth quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 1,133 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $203,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at $11,303,000. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at $29,301,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.8%

Universal Health Services stock traded down $1.47 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $182.58. The stock had a trading volume of 402,466 shares, compared to its average volume of 787,128. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The stock has a market cap of $11.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.25, a P/E/G ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.28. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $153.99 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $183.88 and a 200 day moving average price of $181.59.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its 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 company had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.16 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.70 earnings per share. Universal Health Services's quarterly revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd were paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.44%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is currently 4.49%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Universal Health Services 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 value of $210,053.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 7,884 shares in the company, 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 legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 16.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their target price on 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. Baird R W cut Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Guggenheim began coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 target price on the stock. Barclays raised their price objective on Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. Finally, Stephens raised Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, June 2nd. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price 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.