KBC Group NV Trims Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

KBC Group NV reduced its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 3.4% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 56,255 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 1,991 shares during the quarter. KBC Group NV’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $10,093,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at about $39,000. Huntington National Bank raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Sentry Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth about $64,000. Finally, Mather Group LLC. boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 31.6% during the 3rd quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 283 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $65,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. Barclays raised their target price on Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 25th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Bank of America started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, KeyCorp initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 11th. They set a “sector weight” rating for the company. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $226.14.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total value of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 5,879 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,123,770.85. The trade was a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 16.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.8 %

Universal Health Services stock opened at $187.16 on Thursday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $152.68 and a one year high of $243.25. The business’s fifty day moving average is $188.14 and its 200 day moving average is $207.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.35 billion, a PE ratio of 12.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd were paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 3rd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.43%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 5.32%.

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.