State of Tennessee Department of Treasury Trims Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

State of Tennessee Department of Treasury lessened its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 37.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 21,668 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 12,953 shares during the quarter. State of Tennessee Department of Treasury's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $3,888,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

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

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of Universal Health Services stock traded up $4.52 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $179.15. 140,019 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 745,289. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.91, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $176.49 and a 200-day simple moving average of $188.34. 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, Inc. has a 12-month low of $153.99 and a 12-month high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.36 by $0.48. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.16 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.70 earnings per share. Universal Health Services's revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate 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. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is currently 4.75%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on UHS shares. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Baird R W cut Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Guggenheim began coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $208.00 target price on the stock. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Stephens lifted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Nine equities 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.com, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target 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.