California State Teachers Retirement System Lowers Stock Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

California State Teachers Retirement System lowered its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 18.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 70,787 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 15,724 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement System owned about 0.11% of Universal Health Services worth $12,701,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. First Eagle Investment Management LLC grew 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 worth $838,821,000 after acquiring an additional 44,099 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.1% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,713,572 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $306,776,000 after acquiring an additional 52,042 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 25.6% in 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 period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 0.9% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,197,537 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $274,248,000 after purchasing an additional 10,578 shares during the period. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in 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 valued at $111,984,000 after purchasing an additional 27,903 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. Guggenheim assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price target for the company. Barclays boosted their price target on Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price target for the company. Baird R W lowered Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, Stephens boosted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Nine equities 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 has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $224.77.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded up $2.45 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $191.26. The stock had a trading volume of 155,989 shares, compared to its average volume of 750,794. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $153.99 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The business's 50 day moving average price is $181.97 and its 200 day moving average price is $184.06. The company has a market cap of $12.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.31.

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

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. 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 dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.49%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total value of $210,053.56. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 7,884 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,509,628.32. The trade was a 12.21% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

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.