Victory Capital Management Inc. Raises Stock Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 26.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 59,519 shares of the health services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 12,629 shares during the quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. owned about 0.09% of Universal Health Services worth $11,184,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of UHS. Sentry Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 49.3% in the first quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 55.6% in the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. CX Institutional bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at $74,000. Finally, Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at $96,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $224.00 price objective (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Baird R W lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Stephens raised shares of Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. Finally, Guggenheim assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $221.85.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

UHS stock traded down $0.15 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $155.32. The company had a trading volume of 1,187,511 shares, compared to its average volume of 848,690. The firm has a market cap of $10.10 billion, a PE ratio of 8.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.32. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.96 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $179.79 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $180.70.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.36 by $0.48. The business had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.16 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 7.44% and a return on equity of 17.79%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $3.70 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.52%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 4.49%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total value of $210,053.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 7,884 shares in the company, valued at $1,509,628.32. This trade represents a 12.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 16.40% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.