National Bank of Canada FI Has $14.44 Million Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

National Bank of Canada FI grew its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 157.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 80,469 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 49,204 shares during the quarter. National Bank of Canada FI’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $14,438,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Quent Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Campbell Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth about $46,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter worth about $69,000. Finally, Board of the Pension Protection Fund bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at about $72,000. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 7.4 %

Shares of UHS stock opened at $174.69 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.62, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $181.75 and its 200 day simple moving average is $195.82. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $152.69 and a twelve month high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. The firm had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on UHS shares. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $200.00 target price on the stock. Barclays dropped their price objective on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Stephens raised their price target 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. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $228.38.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 16.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.