Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Acquired by Abacus Planning Group Inc.

Abacus Planning Group Inc. increased its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 175.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 2,792 shares of the health services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,779 shares during the period. Abacus Planning Group Inc.’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $501,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 102.0% during the 3rd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 210,926 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $48,304,000 after purchasing an additional 106,517 shares during the period. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth about $18,709,000. Mizuho Securities USA LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 2,101.2% during the third quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 101,188 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $23,173,000 after acquiring an additional 96,591 shares during the last quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $21,557,000. Finally, Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 70.8% in the 3rd quarter. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC now owns 214,379 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $49,095,000 after acquiring an additional 88,872 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total value of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,879 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,123,770.85. This represents a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 16.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $183.14 on Thursday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $152.68 and a 52 week high of $243.25. The company’s 50 day moving average is $184.47 and its two-hundred day moving average is $206.55. The company has a market cap of $12.08 billion, a PE ratio of 12.18, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5.32%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently weighed in on UHS. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. StockNews.com cut Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 9th. Barclays increased their target price on Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 28th. Finally, TD Cowen cut 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 note on Tuesday, November 26th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $226.14.

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.