Ellsworth Advisors LLC Buys New Shares in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Ellsworth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 31,382 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $4,784,000. Universal Health Services makes up about 1.5% of Ellsworth Advisors LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest position.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 48.0% during the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 1,967,220 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $247,339,000 after buying an additional 638,166 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter valued at about $66,334,000. Iron Triangle Partners LP acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the second quarter worth about $74,152,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 45.4% in the second quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 802,139 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $80,784,000 after buying an additional 250,295 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Junto Capital Management LP acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,783,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Steve Filton sold 35,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.82, for a total value of $6,188,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 68,785 shares of the company's stock, valued at $12,162,563.70. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 15.40% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on UHS shares. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $170.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, March 4th. Barclays assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, March 6th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $181.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Universal Health Services from $144.00 to $182.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 13th. Mizuho upped their price objective on Universal Health Services from $175.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $148.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $176.29.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of Universal Health Services stock traded up $0.61 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $182.46. 699,083 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 606,616. The company has a quick ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $119.90 and a fifty-two week high of $183.61. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.26 billion, a PE ratio of 17.78, a PEG ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 1.23. The business has a 50-day moving average of $167.91 and a 200 day moving average of $147.76.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The health services provider reported $3.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.02 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $3.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.66 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 5.03% and a return on equity of 12.08%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.02 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 13.39 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 1st were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 29th. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is currently 7.80%.

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.