AlphaQuest LLC Acquires 3,582 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

AlphaQuest LLC lifted its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 88.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,622 shares of the health services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 3,582 shares during the period. AlphaQuest LLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,558,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth $28,000. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 347.6% in the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 188 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares during the period. Finally, Huntington National Bank grew its position in Universal Health Services by 240.0% during the 2nd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 204 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 0.5%

UHS stock opened at $201.17 on Friday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $152.33 and a fifty-two week high of $246.32. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $219.56 and its 200 day moving average price is $203.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.56, a PEG ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.28.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st were issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.4%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 3.80%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on UHS shares. Raymond James Financial set a $270.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Wall Street Zen upgraded Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday, October 11th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Monday, December 29th. UBS Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald upped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $234.13.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total transaction of $852,336.10. Following the sale, the director owned 8,481 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,893,807.30. This trade represents a 31.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 16.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.