Wedge Capital Management L L P NC Acquires 3,092 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Wedge Capital Management L L P NC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 7.7% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 43,395 shares of the health services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 3,092 shares during the quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC owned 0.07% of Universal Health Services worth $8,154,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Quent Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Sentry Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 49.3% during the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 67 shares during the period. Campbell Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth $46,000. Finally, Huntington National Bank increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 55.6% in the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on UHS. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Morgan Stanley initiated 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 for the company. Guggenheim initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective on the stock. Stephens upgraded Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, June 2nd. Finally, Baird R W lowered Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $224.77.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the company's 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 transaction, the director now owns 7,884 shares in the company, valued at $1,509,628.32. The trade was a 12.21% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 16.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 0.7%

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded up $1.23 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $173.52. The company's stock had a trading volume of 684,013 shares, compared to its average volume of 759,984. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $181.49 and a 200-day moving average of $183.49. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.54, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.31. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $153.99 and a 12-month high of $243.25.

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 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 business had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.16 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.70 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Investors 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 yield of 0.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 2nd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.49%.

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.