Woodline Partners LP Lowers Stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Woodline Partners LP cut its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 46.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 138,138 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 119,941 shares during the period. Woodline Partners LP owned about 0.21% of Universal Health Services worth $24,785,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UHS. First Eagle Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.0% in the fourth 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 buying an additional 44,099 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,713,572 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $306,776,000 after buying an additional 52,042 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted 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 during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake 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 valued at $274,248,000 after buying an additional 10,578 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in 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 acquiring 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 Trading Down 0.2%

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded down $0.36 during trading on Friday, reaching $186.29. The company's stock had a trading volume of 439,357 shares, compared to its average volume of 753,435. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $153.99 and a 12 month 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's 50 day simple moving average is $180.84 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $184.94. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.11 billion, a PE ratio of 12.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.16 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.70 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 2nd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.49%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total transaction of $210,053.56. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 7,884 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,509,628.32. This represents a 12.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 16.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UHS has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $224.00 price target (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Morgan Stanley began coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 target price on the stock. Stephens upped their price objective on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Finally, Baird R W cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $224.77.

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.