Cetera Investment Advisers Has $2.70 Million Stock Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Cetera Investment Advisers grew its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 11.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,369 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,511 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers’ holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $2,700,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Sentry Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 49.3% in the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the period. CX Institutional acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $74,000. Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at about $96,000. Finally, Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 18.2% in the fourth quarter. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. now owns 636 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $114,000 after acquiring an additional 98 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.6%

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $163.74 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $175.44 and a 200-day moving average of $179.47. The company has a market capitalization of $10.64 billion, a PE ratio of 8.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.29. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $152.33 and a 52-week high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.35 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.85 by $0.50. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 18.22% and a net margin of 7.66%. The company had revenue of $4.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.24 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $4.31 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is 4.21%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total value of $210,053.56. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 7,884 shares in the company, valued at $1,509,628.32. This trade represents a 12.21% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 16.40% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have issued reports on UHS shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. Barclays lifted their price target on Universal Health Services from $257.00 to $259.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective 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. Robert W. Baird restated a “neutral” rating and set a $224.00 price objective (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, UBS Group set a $227.00 price target on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $216.54.

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.