Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Shares Down 6.3% - Here's Why

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) dropped 6.3% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $164.90 and last traded at $163.81. Approximately 121,783 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 84% from the average daily volume of 743,726 shares. The stock had previously closed at $174.80.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UHS has been the subject of several analyst reports. Guggenheim assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 10th. 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 note on Tuesday, April 15th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Baird R W lowered Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $224.92.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 1.3 %

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 $11.16 billion, a PE ratio of 11.42, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $177.10 and its 200 day simple moving average is $189.31.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.21 by $0.71. The business had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 4.75%.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Choreo LLC grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.4% during the fourth quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 1,822 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $325,000 after buying an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 3,060 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $549,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 49.3% in the first quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 67 shares during the period. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 5.9% during the fourth quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,266 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $227,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Platinum Investment Management Ltd. boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 17.6% in the 4th quarter. Platinum Investment Management Ltd. now owns 488 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $88,000 after buying an additional 73 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.