Alberta Investment Management Corp Acquires New Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Alberta Investment Management Corp bought a new position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 4,700 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $843,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth about $32,000. Quent Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth $39,000. Finally, Huntington National Bank lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 414.3% during the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the director now owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This trade represents a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 16.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 2.3 %

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $179.93 on Friday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $152.68 and a 12-month high of $243.25. The company 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. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $184.27 and a 200 day moving average of $206.17. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada dropped 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 note on Monday, October 28th. Bank of America started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $226.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on 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. Finally, StockNews.com cut Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 9th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target 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.