Northern Trust Corp Boosts Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Northern Trust Corp boosted its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 7.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 596,280 shares of the health services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 42,088 shares during the quarter. Northern Trust Corp owned about 0.90% of Universal Health Services worth $106,985,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth $1,693,000. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 5.9% during the 4th quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,266 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $227,000 after buying an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Pinebridge Investments L.P. increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 6.0% in the fourth quarter. Pinebridge Investments L.P. now owns 104,669 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $18,780,000 after buying an additional 5,905 shares during the last quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 28.4% during the fourth quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 5,501 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $987,000 after purchasing an additional 1,216 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Stifel Financial Corp raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 21.9% during the fourth quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 4,880 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $876,000 after acquiring an additional 878 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 1.5 %

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded up $2.69 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $186.85. The stock had a trading volume of 773,749 shares, compared to its average volume of 750,194. 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 business's 50-day simple moving average is $176.25 and its 200-day simple moving average is $186.94. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $153.99 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The company has a market cap of $12.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.42, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 analyst estimates of $4.16 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.70 EPS. Universal Health Services's quarterly revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal 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 paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.49%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Guggenheim started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 target price for the company. Baird R W downgraded Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Stephens increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 10th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus 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.