Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd Acquires 177 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 2.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,253 shares of the health services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 177 shares during the quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,301,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $39,000. Huntington National Bank increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sentry Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter valued at $64,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $185.93 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $185.93 and a 200-day moving average price of $207.89. The company has a market cap of $12.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.30. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.68 and a 12 month high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd were issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 5.32%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UHS has been the subject of several research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their target price for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. Bank of America started coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price 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. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $226.14.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total transaction of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at $1,123,770.85. This represents a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

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.