Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd. Has $11.07 Million Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd. lessened its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 3.5% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 61,685 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 2,214 shares during the quarter. Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd.’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $11,068,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in UHS. Barclays PLC boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 13.4% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 188,765 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $43,227,000 after acquiring an additional 22,369 shares in the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $2,194,000. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $201,000. World Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $21,557,000. Finally, Tidal Investments LLC boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 208.0% in the third quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 12,100 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $2,771,000 after buying an additional 8,171 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 16.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 1.1 %

NYSE UHS opened at $173.49 on Tuesday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $176.91 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $188.86. 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 $11.28 billion, a PE ratio of 11.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. 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 (NYSE:UHS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.36 by $0.48. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The firm had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.16 billion. On average, analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently commented on UHS shares. Barclays dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Stephens boosted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $200.00 price objective on the stock. Robert W. Baird restated a “neutral” rating and set a $224.00 price objective (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, Baird R W lowered Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $224.92.

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.