Raymond James & Associates Has $6.64 Million Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Raymond James & Associates decreased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 65.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 43,529 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 82,147 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates owned approximately 0.06% of Universal Health Services worth $6,636,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 76.4% during the fourth quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 187 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares during the period. Belpointe Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 45.4% during the first quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 253 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 42.8% during the third quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 267 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the second quarter worth about $46,000. Finally, Ancora Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 33.3% in the first quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 400 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $53,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of Universal Health Services stock traded down $0.13 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $171.50. 665,265 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 549,269. The company has a market cap of $11.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.24. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $119.90 and a 52 week high of $183.61. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $170.25 and its 200 day simple moving average is $150.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a current ratio of 1.40.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The health services provider reported $3.13 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.02 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $3.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.66 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 12.08% and a net margin of 5.03%. The business's revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.02 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 13.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 1st were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.47%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7.80%.

Insider Activity

In other Universal Health Services news, CFO Steve Filton sold 35,000 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $176.82, for a total transaction of $6,188,700.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 68,785 shares of the company's stock, valued at $12,162,563.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 16.60% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UHS has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Mizuho raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $175.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 6th. Barclays began coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $181.00 price target on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $148.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Citigroup lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $170.00 to $193.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, January 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given 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 "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $176.29.

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.