Rhumbline Advisers Reduces Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Rhumbline Advisers lowered its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 3.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 98,378 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 3,899 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers owned 0.15% of Universal Health Services worth $17,651,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 102.0% during the 3rd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 210,926 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $48,304,000 after acquiring an additional 106,517 shares during the last quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth $18,709,000. Mizuho Securities USA LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 2,101.2% during the 3rd quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 101,188 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $23,173,000 after purchasing an additional 96,591 shares during the last quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth about $21,557,000. Finally, Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 70.8% in the 3rd quarter. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC now owns 214,379 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $49,095,000 after buying an additional 88,872 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other 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 transaction of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This represents a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS opened at $179.93 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $184.27 and a 200 day moving average price of $206.17. 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, Inc. has a 1-year low of $152.68 and a 1-year high of $243.25. The stock has a market cap of $11.87 billion, a PE ratio of 11.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.30.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 5.32%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on UHS. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 9th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of 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. Barclays increased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on 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. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average 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.