The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company Cuts Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company trimmed its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 7.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 45,881 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 3,711 shares during the quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company owned 0.07% of Universal Health Services worth $8,232,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UHS. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Quent Capital LLC lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Campbell Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at about $46,000. Huntington National Bank raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 55.6% in the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, Board of the Pension Protection Fund bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at about $72,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of Universal Health Services stock traded down $2.04 on Friday, reaching $181.73. 828,395 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 752,708. The company has a 50 day moving average of $176.82 and a 200 day moving average of $185.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.81 billion, a PE ratio of 12.08, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.29. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $153.99 and a 52 week high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 analysts' expectations of $4.16 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.70 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 4.49%.

Insider Activity

In other 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 completion of the transaction, 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 ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently commented on UHS. Baird R W cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 10th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $224.77.

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.