Quantbot Technologies LP Buys New Stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 10,211 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,832,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at $29,000. Quent Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the fourth 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 period. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth about $39,000. Campbell Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth about $46,000. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth about $69,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were 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 $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 2.4 %

Shares of NYSE UHS opened at $174.49 on Monday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $152.69 and a 12-month high of $243.25. The stock has a market cap of $11.34 billion, a PE ratio of 11.60, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company has a 50-day moving average of $181.84 and a 200 day moving average of $198.55.

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

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.46%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 4.75%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on UHS shares. Stephens upped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. 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 company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $230.75.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

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.