Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by Kentucky Retirement Systems

Kentucky Retirement Systems trimmed its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 1.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,086 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 56 shares during the quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems’ holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $733,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of UHS. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 102.0% in 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 acquiring an additional 106,517 shares during the last quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth $18,709,000. Mizuho Securities USA LLC grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 2,101.2% in the 3rd quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 101,188 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $23,173,000 after acquiring an additional 96,591 shares during the last quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter worth $21,557,000. Finally, Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 70.8% in the third quarter. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC now owns 214,379 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $49,095,000 after buying an additional 88,872 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total transaction of $308,516.10. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at $1,123,770.85. This trade represents a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

UHS opened at $181.21 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $11.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.05, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.30. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $152.68 and a 1 year 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 stock has a fifty day moving average price of $184.21 and a 200 day moving average price of $205.83.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UHS has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. StockNews.com cut Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target 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.