Allianz Asset Management GmbH Lowers Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Allianz Asset Management GmbH cut its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 10.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 260,560 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 30,457 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH owned approximately 0.41% of Universal Health Services worth $53,269,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 11.1% during the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,461,198 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $264,696,000 after purchasing an additional 145,730 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 3.5% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 926,669 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $167,866,000 after buying an additional 31,201 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in Universal Health Services by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 639,524 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $115,850,000 after buying an additional 4,932 shares during the last quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter worth $87,373,000. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter worth $83,333,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of UHS stock opened at $206.35 on Thursday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $217.35 and a 200 day moving average price of $203.74. The stock has a market cap of $12.89 billion, a PE ratio of 9.80, a P/E/G ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.26. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $152.33 and a 1 year high of $246.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.03.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st were given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.4%. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is currently 3.80%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UHS has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an “equal weight” rating and set a $235.00 price target (down from $259.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Guggenheim boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $253.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Wall Street Zen raised Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, October 11th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Raymond James Financial set a $270.00 price objective on Universal Health Services and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $234.13.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total value of $852,336.10. Following the sale, the director directly owned 8,481 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,893,807.30. This represents a 31.04% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 16.40% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

Universal Health Services, Inc (NYSE: UHS) is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS’s facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.