Victory Capital Management Inc. Acquires 12,629 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 26.9% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 59,519 shares of the health services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 12,629 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $11,184,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Apollon Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Universal Health Services by 13.8% during the first quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,473 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $277,000 after acquiring an additional 179 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 34.8% during the first quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 728 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $137,000 after buying an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. MQS Management LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth approximately $429,000. CWM LLC grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 227.2% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 11,316 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $2,126,000 after acquiring an additional 7,858 shares during the last quarter. Finally, WealthTrust Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth about $512,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total value of $210,053.56. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 7,884 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,509,628.32. This trade represents a 12.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 16.40% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently commented on UHS. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price target on Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $200.00 target price on the stock. Stephens upgraded shares of Universal Health Services to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. Finally, Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $224.00 price objective (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $221.85.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 1.1%

UHS opened at $164.50 on Thursday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $181.94 and a 200 day moving average price of $181.20. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $153.99 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The company has a market cap of $10.69 billion, a PE ratio of 9.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.36 by $0.48. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 17.79% and a net margin of 7.44%. The business had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.16 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.70 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side 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 firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.49%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 4.49%.

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.