Handelsbanken Fonder AB Raises Stock Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Handelsbanken Fonder AB grew its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 20.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 13,500 shares of the health services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 2,300 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $2,422,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in UHS. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. Quent Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 118.3% during the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, Huntington National Bank lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UHS has been the subject of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com cut Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, November 9th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of 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 research note on Monday, December 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Six 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 company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $226.14.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total transaction of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at $1,123,770.85. This trade represents a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS stock opened at $181.21 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $184.21 and a 200 day moving average price of $205.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.05, 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 quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $152.68 and a 52-week high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 5.32%.

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.