Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS Shares Acquired by Johnson Investment Counsel Inc.

Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. raised its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 30.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 17,506 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 4,130 shares during the quarter. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc.’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $3,579,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of UHS. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 2,665 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $501,000 after acquiring an additional 69 shares in the last quarter. United Services Automobile Association bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at $235,000. Focus Partners Wealth lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 80.6% in the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 2,631 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $494,000 after buying an additional 1,174 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 17.6% during the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,546 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $280,000 after acquiring an additional 231 shares during the period. Finally, Aberdeen Group plc grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.8% during the second quarter. Aberdeen Group plc now owns 29,418 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $5,329,000 after acquiring an additional 1,066 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UHS opened at $212.62 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $215.25 and a 200-day moving average of $205.55. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.33 and a 12 month high of $246.32. The company has a market capitalization of $13.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.10, a P/E/G ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.26.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have issued reports on UHS. Morgan Stanley set a $233.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Mizuho set a $242.00 price objective on Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Barclays decreased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $263.00 to $262.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “equal weight” rating and set a $235.00 target price (down previously from $259.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $234.13.

Universal Health Services 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.