Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Holdings Boosted by Empirical Finance LLC

Empirical Finance LLC grew its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 43.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 8,176 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,472 shares during the period. Empirical Finance LLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,467,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of UHS. Cerity Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 86.4% during the 3rd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 21,047 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $4,820,000 after acquiring an additional 9,755 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 0.9% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,197,537 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $274,248,000 after purchasing an additional 10,578 shares in the last quarter. Vestcor Inc increased its position in Universal Health Services by 1,436.5% in the 3rd quarter. Vestcor Inc now owns 54,070 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $12,383,000 after purchasing an additional 50,551 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,661,530 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $379,403,000 after purchasing an additional 63,754 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Eagle Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter valued at about $13,496,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total value of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 5,879 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,123,770.85. This represents a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.2 %

UHS stock opened at $188.01 on Monday. 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 company has a market cap of $12.40 billion, a PE ratio of 12.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.30. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $186.50 and its 200 day simple moving average is $208.22.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 5.32%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 9th. Bank of America assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price target for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $226.14.

Universal Health Services 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.