Raymond James Financial Inc. Takes Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 163,308 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $29,301,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. owned about 0.25% of Universal Health Services at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of UHS. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Quent Capital LLC grew its position in Universal Health Services by 118.3% during the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $39,000. Huntington National Bank lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 145 shares during the period. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $69,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on UHS shares. Barclays dropped their price objective on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. TD Cowen dropped their price objective on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $230.75.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 16.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 2.3 %

UHS stock opened at $167.83 on Friday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $152.68 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The firm has a market cap of $11.07 billion, a PE ratio of 11.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. The business has a 50 day moving average of $182.83 and a 200 day moving average of $201.19.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The company had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. On average, research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.48%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.75%.

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.