Hsbc Holdings PLC Sells 11,144 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Hsbc Holdings PLC lowered its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 8.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 118,144 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 11,144 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC owned about 0.18% of Universal Health Services worth $21,152,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Stifel Financial Corp raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 21.9% during the 4th quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 4,880 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $876,000 after purchasing an additional 878 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its position in Universal Health Services by 23.3% during the fourth quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 4,223 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $758,000 after acquiring an additional 798 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 0.5% in the fourth quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 15,512 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $2,783,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Natixis grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 492.2% in the 4th quarter. Natixis now owns 23,165 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $4,156,000 after acquiring an additional 19,253 shares during the period. Finally, Norinchukin Bank The increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 7.6% during the 4th quarter. Norinchukin Bank The now owns 2,621 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $470,000 after purchasing an additional 186 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded up $4.29 on Friday, reaching $178.92. 140,019 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 745,289. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $153.99 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The company has a fifty day moving average of $176.49 and a 200-day moving average of $188.34. The company has a market capitalization of $11.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.91, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21.

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 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.36 by $0.48. The firm had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.16 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The company's revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.70 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

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

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently commented on UHS. Stephens lifted their price target on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Guggenheim assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $208.00 target price for the company. Baird R W cut Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed 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. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Nine research 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, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $224.77.

Universal Health Services Company 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.