1,439 Shares in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Purchased by Kera Capital Partners Inc.

Kera Capital Partners Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund acquired 1,439 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $270,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UHS. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its position in Universal Health Services by 73.3% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 23,049 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $4,135,000 after purchasing an additional 9,747 shares during the period. QSM Asset Management Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $7,045,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth $8,495,000. Forum Financial Management LP grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 20.0% during the fourth quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 1,953 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $350,000 after acquiring an additional 326 shares during the period. Finally, GF Fund Management CO. LTD. purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth $254,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 16.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 1.1%

UHS stock opened at $190.22 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $181.59 and its 200-day simple moving average is $184.59. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $153.99 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.36 billion, a PE ratio of 12.65, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.36 by $0.48. The firm had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.16 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. Universal Health Services’s revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.70 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Investors of record on Monday, June 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.42%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 2nd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 4.49%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have commented on UHS. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. Robert W. Baird restated a “neutral” rating and set a $224.00 target price (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Stephens increased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Finally, Baird R W lowered Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $224.77.

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.