Louisiana State Employees Retirement System Has $574,000 Stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Louisiana State Employees Retirement System decreased its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 3.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,200 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 100 shares during the period. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $574,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of UHS. Creative Planning increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 15.0% during the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 6,644 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,521,000 after buying an additional 869 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd raised its position in Universal Health Services by 28.7% in the 3rd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 7,076 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,620,000 after purchasing an additional 1,578 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in Universal Health Services by 78.9% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 322 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $74,000 after purchasing an additional 142 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates raised its position in Universal Health Services by 173.3% in the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 69,309 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $15,873,000 after purchasing an additional 43,946 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its position in Universal Health Services by 1,353.6% in the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 44,159 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $10,113,000 after purchasing an additional 41,121 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS stock opened at $183.11 on Wednesday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $152.68 and a 12-month high of $243.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.30. 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 firm has a fifty day moving average of $184.62 and a 200-day moving average of $206.71.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is presently 5.32%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total value of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,879 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This represents a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently weighed in on UHS. Bank of America began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price objective for the company. TD Cowen dropped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $226.14.

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.