Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Stock Position Decreased by Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC

Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 1.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,759 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 68 shares during the period. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,033,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Huntington National Bank increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 145 shares during the period. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 41.8% in the 2nd quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 251 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 74 shares during the period. Finally, Sentry Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $64,000. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 2.2 %

Universal Health Services stock opened at $185.65 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $152.68 and a 52-week high of $243.25. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $188.65 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $207.56. The firm has a market cap of $12.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.34, a PEG ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.30.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The company had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.55 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is 5.32%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 25th. KeyCorp assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 11th. They set a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $226.14.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total value of $308,516.10. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. The trade was a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services 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.