Chase Investment Counsel Corp Buys Shares of 3,626 Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Chase Investment Counsel Corp purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 3,626 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $741,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of UHS. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 34.9% in the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 68,501 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $13,941,000 after purchasing an additional 17,728 shares in the last quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 36.0% in the 3rd quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 54,960 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $11,236,000 after purchasing an additional 14,536 shares during the last quarter. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $1,359,000. Board of the Pension Protection Fund acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $961,000. Finally, AMG National Trust Bank bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth $1,912,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently commented on UHS. Zacks Research upgraded Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Guggenheim upped their target price on Universal Health Services from $253.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Barclays cut 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. Raymond James Financial set a $270.00 price target on Universal Health Services and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $234.13.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 0.8%

Universal Health Services stock opened at $232.36 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $14.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.04, a PEG ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.26. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $152.33 and a 52-week 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. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $216.45 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $209.93.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

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

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.