Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Sells 6,619 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund trimmed its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 15.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 36,177 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 6,619 shares during the period. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund owned approximately 0.06% of Universal Health Services worth $7,396,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 320.0% during the 3rd quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 126 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares during the period. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the second quarter worth $31,000. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its position in Universal Health Services by 347.6% during the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 188 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of UHS opened at $234.86 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $215.39 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $206.48. The stock has a market cap of $14.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.16, a P/E/G ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 1.26. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.33 and a 12 month high of $246.32.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Investors of record on Monday, March 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 2nd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 3.80%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have weighed in on UHS shares. UBS Group reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Barclays lowered their price target on Universal Health Services from $263.00 to $262.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Mizuho set a $242.00 price target on Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Zacks Research raised Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. One 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 given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $234.13.

About Universal Health Services

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.