Cibc World Markets Corp Acquires 1,250 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Cibc World Markets Corp grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 15.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,329 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,250 shares during the period. Cibc World Markets Corp’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,674,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. Quent Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 118.3% during the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the period. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth $39,000. Campbell Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth $46,000. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at about $69,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Stephens upped their target price on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Finally, Barclays reduced their target price on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $230.75.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 2.4 %

NYSE UHS opened at $174.49 on Friday. The business’s fifty day moving average is $181.84 and its 200 day moving average is $199.09. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $152.69 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The company has a market cap of $11.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates 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 for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the director now directly 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 legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

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.