Compass Ion Advisors LLC Takes Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Compass Ion Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm bought 1,084 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $204,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sentry Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth about $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 49.3% in the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the period. Campbell Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $46,000. Huntington National Bank increased its position in Universal Health Services by 55.6% during the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, CX Institutional purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at approximately $74,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently weighed in on UHS. Barclays increased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Robert W. Baird reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $224.00 price objective (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Baird R W cut shares of Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Stephens upgraded shares of Universal Health Services to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. Finally, Guggenheim began coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a “buy” rating and a $208.00 price target on the stock. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $224.77.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Universal Health Services stock opened at $171.78 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $11.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.31. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $153.99 and a one year high of $243.25. The business has a fifty day moving average of $180.76 and a two-hundred day moving average of $182.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.32.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.36 by $0.48. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 7.44% and a return on equity of 17.79%. The firm had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.16 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $3.70 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 2nd were given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 2nd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 4.49%.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total value of $210,053.56. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 7,884 shares in the company, valued at $1,509,628.32. This represents a 12.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 16.40% of the company’s stock.

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.