Versant Capital Management Inc Acquires 1,744 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 426.4% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,153 shares of the health services provider's stock after buying an additional 1,744 shares during the quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $405,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of UHS. First Eagle Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 1.0% in the 4th 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 last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 3.1% during 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 purchasing an additional 52,042 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in 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 purchasing an additional 253,385 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.9% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,197,537 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $274,248,000 after purchasing an additional 10,578 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 4.7% in 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. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 1.3%

UHS stock traded up $2.45 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $191.26. 155,989 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 750,794. The stock has a market cap of $12.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The firm's 50 day moving average is $181.97 and its two-hundred day moving average is $184.06. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $153.99 and a 1 year high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.36 by $0.48. The business had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.16 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.70 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be issued 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 is Monday, June 2nd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is presently 4.49%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on UHS shares. Guggenheim assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $208.00 target price for the company. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on shares of 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. 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. Stephens upped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 10th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average 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 stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total transaction of $210,053.56. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,884 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,509,628.32. This represents a 12.21% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Company 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.