Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Shares Down 8.5% - Time to Sell?

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report)'s share price was down 8.5% on Monday . The company traded as low as $170.52 and last traded at $173.31. Approximately 297,856 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 60% from the average daily volume of 752,638 shares. The stock had previously closed at $189.39.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on UHS shares. Baird R W lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Guggenheim started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reduced 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 note on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, Stephens upgraded shares of Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $224.77.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

The company's fifty day simple moving average is $181.52 and its 200 day simple moving average is $183.31. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.54, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.31.

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 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 company had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.16 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.70 EPS. The firm's revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.46%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 2nd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is currently 4.49%.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total transaction of $210,053.56. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 7,884 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,509,628.32. The trade was a 12.21% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 16.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. First Eagle Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 4,675,182 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $838,821,000 after purchasing an additional 44,099 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 3.1% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,713,572 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $306,776,000 after purchasing an additional 52,042 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 6.0% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,315,468 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $247,176,000 after purchasing an additional 74,128 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 9.0% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,241,738 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $233,311,000 after purchasing an additional 102,137 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 57.8% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 931,355 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $173,381,000 after purchasing an additional 340,966 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.