Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by California Public Employees Retirement System

California Public Employees Retirement System trimmed its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 3.0% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 102,532 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 3,210 shares during the period. California Public Employees Retirement System’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $18,396,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in UHS. Public Sector Pension Investment Board lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 13.2% during the third quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 2,572 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $589,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 73.0% during the 3rd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,226 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $510,000 after acquiring an additional 939 shares during the period. Investment Management Corp of Ontario grew its position in Universal Health Services by 45.8% in the 3rd quarter. Investment Management Corp of Ontario now owns 1,909 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $437,000 after acquiring an additional 600 shares in the last quarter. Redwood Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 3.9% during the third quarter. Redwood Investment Management LLC now owns 7,768 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,786,000 after purchasing an additional 294 shares during the period. Finally, Quarry LP lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 14.4% during the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 516 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $118,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the company’s 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 completion of the sale, the director now owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 7.4 %

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $174.69 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $181.75 and a 200-day simple moving average of $195.82. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $152.69 and a twelve month high of $243.25. 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 company has a market capitalization of $11.36 billion, a PE ratio of 11.62, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. The firm had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. On average, equities analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.46%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.75%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 10th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Stephens boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their price target for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $228.38.

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.