First Trust Advisors LP Sells 17,134 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

First Trust Advisors LP decreased its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 8.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 178,918 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 17,134 shares during the quarter. First Trust Advisors LP owned approximately 0.27% of Universal Health Services worth $32,101,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Quent Capital LLC raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 118.3% during the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the period. Campbell Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth approximately $46,000. Huntington National Bank boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 55.6% in the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, Board of the Pension Protection Fund purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $72,000. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 3.0 %

UHS stock traded up $5.24 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $177.12. 1,048,524 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 749,811. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $176.62 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $188.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.51 billion, a PE ratio of 11.78, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $153.99 and a one year high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted 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 company had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.16 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.70 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.45%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is currently 4.75%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Baird R W lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Stephens raised their price objective on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Robert W. Baird reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $224.00 target price (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $224.77.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 16.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Universal Health Services Company 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.