Alberta Investment Management Corp Buys Shares of 24,000 Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Alberta Investment Management Corp bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 24,000 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $5,232,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.3% during the third quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,794 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $367,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Avanza Fonder AB increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 6.1% during the fourth quarter. Avanza Fonder AB now owns 1,027 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $224,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.6% during the fourth quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,859 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $841,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.3% during the fourth quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 20,595 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $4,490,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Finally, IFM Investors Pty Ltd increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.6% during the fourth quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltd now owns 11,781 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $2,568,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.6%

Shares of UHS stock opened at $146.90 on Wednesday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $140.08 and a 12-month high of $246.32. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $164.83 and its 200 day moving average is $194.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.12, a P/E/G ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.07.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $5.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.41 by $0.21. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.56% and a return on equity of 19.57%. The company had revenue of $4.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.39 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $4.84 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 23.47 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 18th. Investors of record on Monday, June 8th will be issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 8th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 3.33%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on UHS shares. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $216.00 to $190.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. TD Cowen reduced their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $245.00 to $230.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $241.00 to $204.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Stephens reduced their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $235.00 to $205.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $233.00 to $212.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $218.63.

About Universal Health Services

Universal Health Services, Inc (NYSE: UHS) is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS’s facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.