WBI Investments LLC Cuts Stock Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

WBI Investments LLC trimmed its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 67.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,995 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 8,409 shares during the quarter. WBI Investments LLC's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $717,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. First Eagle Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 4,675,182 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $838,821,000 after purchasing an additional 44,099 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,713,572 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $306,776,000 after purchasing an additional 52,042 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 25.6% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,241,340 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $222,721,000 after purchasing an additional 253,385 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,197,537 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $274,248,000 after acquiring an additional 10,578 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 4.7% in the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 624,143 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $111,984,000 after acquiring an additional 27,903 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

UHS traded down $0.36 on Friday, hitting $186.29. 439,357 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 754,098. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $153.99 and a fifty-two week 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 firm has a 50-day moving average price of $180.84 and a 200-day moving average price of $184.81. The stock has a market cap of $12.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.39, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.29.

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, topping the consensus estimate of $4.36 by $0.48. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The company had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.16 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.70 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared 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. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.43%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 4.49%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Stephens boosted 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. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 10th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Guggenheim assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price target for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price target for the company. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $224.77.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

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.