Alberta Investment Management Corp Makes New $843,000 Investment in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Alberta Investment Management Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 4,700 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $843,000.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Creative Planning increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 15.0% in the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 6,644 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,521,000 after acquiring an additional 869 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 78.9% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 322 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $74,000 after purchasing an additional 142 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 173.3% in the third quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 69,309 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $15,873,000 after purchasing an additional 43,946 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its position in Universal Health Services by 1,353.6% in the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 44,159 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $10,113,000 after purchasing an additional 41,121 shares during the last quarter. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 10,309.1% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 2,290 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $524,000 after purchasing an additional 2,268 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 2.3 %

UHS stock opened at $179.93 on Friday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.68 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $184.27 and its 200 day moving average is $206.17. The company has a market capitalization of $11.87 billion, a PE ratio of 11.96, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 5.32%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UHS has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. StockNews.com cut Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 9th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 25th. Bank of America started coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $226.14.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the company’s 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 sale, the director now directly 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 legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 16.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.