Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Acquired by Lazard Asset Management LLC

Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 19.6% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 154,899 shares of the health services provider's stock after buying an additional 25,354 shares during the quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC owned about 0.23% of Universal Health Services worth $27,791,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at $67,964,000. Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 25.6% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,241,340 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $222,721,000 after purchasing an additional 253,385 shares during the last quarter. Amundi boosted its holdings 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 purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth about $41,155,000. Finally, 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 valued at $105,928,000 after acquiring an additional 219,942 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

NYSE UHS traded up $2.22 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $198.10. 766,053 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 753,975. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The company has a market capitalization of $12.88 billion, a PE ratio of 13.17, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.29. The firm's 50-day moving average is $178.19 and its 200-day moving average is $185.57. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $153.99 and a 52-week 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. The firm had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.16 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.70 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.40%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is currently 4.49%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total value of $210,053.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 7,884 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,509,628.32. This trade represents a 12.21% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 16.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Barclays increased their price target on Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Robert W. Baird reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $224.00 price target (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, Guggenheim initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price target for the company. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target 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.