World Investment Advisors Increases Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

World Investment Advisors boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 150.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 3,363 shares of the health services provider's stock after buying an additional 2,019 shares during the quarter. World Investment Advisors' holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $632,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $67,964,000. Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 25.6% in the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,241,340 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $222,721,000 after purchasing an additional 253,385 shares during the period. Amundi lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 189.5% in the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 360,070 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $68,532,000 after purchasing an additional 235,689 shares during the last quarter. Freestone Grove Partners LP bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at $41,155,000. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in Universal Health Services by 59.4% in the fourth 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 during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently commented on UHS shares. 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. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Baird R W downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Guggenheim began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley initiated 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 objective for the company. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $224.77.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of Universal Health Services stock traded up $1.45 during trading on Thursday, hitting $184.01. The stock had a trading volume of 700,865 shares, compared to its average volume of 787,087. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $153.99 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The firm has a market cap of $11.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.33, a P/E/G ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.28. The business's 50-day moving average is $183.62 and its 200 day moving average is $181.55.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.36 by $0.48. The firm had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.16 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 17.79% and a net margin of 7.44%. The company's revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.70 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

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

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the firm'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 sale, the director owned 7,884 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,509,628.32. This trade represents a 12.21% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 16.40% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.