Kesler Norman & Wride LLC Takes Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Kesler Norman & Wride LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 3,303 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $593,000.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Quent Capital LLC lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the period. Campbell Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth about $46,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at about $69,000. Finally, Board of the Pension Protection Fund acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $72,000. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UHS has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $200.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their price objective for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $228.38.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 0.7 %

UHS stock opened at $189.09 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $12.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.57, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $152.69 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $182.00 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $196.29. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

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

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued 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 was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is currently 4.75%.

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.