WealthTrust Asset Management LLC Makes New $512,000 Investment in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

WealthTrust Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 2,723 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $512,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of UHS. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth $67,964,000. Invesco Ltd. grew its position 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 worth $222,721,000 after buying an additional 253,385 shares in the last quarter. Freestone Grove Partners LP bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth $41,155,000. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 59.4% during the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 590,389 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $105,928,000 after buying an additional 219,942 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 119.1% during the 4th quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 322,163 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $57,802,000 after buying an additional 175,131 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS stock opened at $182.58 on Friday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $153.99 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.25, a PEG ratio of 0.75 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. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $183.88 and its 200-day simple moving average is $181.58.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released 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. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 17.79% and a net margin of 7.44%. The firm had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.16 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.70 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities 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 company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Investors of record on Monday, June 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 2nd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 4.49%.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

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 transaction of $210,053.56. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 7,884 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,509,628.32. The trade was a 12.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 16.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UHS has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Robert W. Baird reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $224.00 price target (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price target on the stock. Barclays lifted their target price on 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, Stephens upgraded Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average 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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.