Franklin Resources Inc. Raises Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 7.7% in the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 143,839 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 10,340 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc.’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $25,808,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. AIA Group Ltd bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth about $314,000. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 73.3% during the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 23,049 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $4,135,000 after purchasing an additional 9,747 shares in the last quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 25.0% during the fourth quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 63,519 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $11,397,000 after purchasing an additional 12,712 shares during the last quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 8.2% in the 4th quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 2,344 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $446,000 after purchasing an additional 177 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allstate Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth approximately $311,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the firm’s 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 transaction, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Stephens raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 10th. Finally, Barclays cut their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $228.38.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

UHS stock opened at $174.69 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $11.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. 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 $152.69 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $181.75 and its 200-day moving average price is $195.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. On average, equities analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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

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.