NewEdge Advisors LLC Lowers Stock Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

NewEdge Advisors LLC lowered its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 36.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,596 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 1,483 shares during the quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $466,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at $67,964,000. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 25.6% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,241,340 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $222,721,000 after acquiring an additional 253,385 shares during the last quarter. Amundi boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 189.5% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 360,070 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $68,532,000 after acquiring an additional 235,689 shares during the last quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 119.1% during the fourth quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 322,163 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $57,802,000 after purchasing an additional 175,131 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,301,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 2.4 %

Shares of NYSE UHS traded up $4.25 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $178.88. The stock had a trading volume of 588,870 shares, compared to its average volume of 747,943. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $176.28 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $187.68. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $153.99 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. The firm has a market cap of $11.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.36 by $0.48. The firm had revenue of $4.10 billion for 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 company's revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $3.70 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.45%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.75%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UHS has been the subject of a number of research reports. Stephens boosted 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. 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. Cantor Fitzgerald raised Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Barclays lifted their price target on Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Robert W. Baird reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $224.00 price objective (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $224.77.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the transaction, 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 ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

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.