Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by Fifth Third Bancorp

Fifth Third Bancorp decreased its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 29.2% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,357 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 560 shares during the quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $255,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sentry Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth about $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 49.3% during the first quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Campbell Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Huntington National Bank raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 55.6% during the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CX Institutional acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $74,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.4%

Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $171.11 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.60, a PEG ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.31. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $153.99 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.32. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $180.98 and a 200 day moving average of $182.39.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.36 by $0.48. The business had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.16 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 17.79% and a net margin of 7.44%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $3.70 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd were paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 2nd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 4.49%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total transaction of $210,053.56. Following the sale, the director now owns 7,884 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,509,628.32. The trade was a 12.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 16.40% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have commented on UHS. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their target price on Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $200.00 target price for the company. Guggenheim began coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a “buy” rating and a $208.00 target price for the company. Stephens raised Universal Health Services to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, June 2nd. Finally, Robert W. Baird restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $224.00 price target (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $224.77.

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.