Zacks Research Has Optimistic Outlook of UHS Q3 Earnings

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) - Equities researchers at Zacks Research increased their Q3 2024 EPS estimates for Universal Health Services in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, October 16th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the health services provider will post earnings of $3.48 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $3.47. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services' current full-year earnings is $15.87 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Universal Health Services' Q4 2024 earnings at $3.93 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $3.62 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $3.78 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $15.43 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $4.45 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $18.42 EPS.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.37 by $0.94. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.22% and a return on equity of 14.91%. The business had revenue of $3.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.87 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.53 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the company. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, October 1st. KeyCorp initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 11th. They set a "sector weight" rating on the stock. TD Cowen upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their target price for the company from $220.00 to $283.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Baird R W raised shares of Universal Health Services from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 26th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $229.77.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 1.2 %

Shares of UHS traded down $2.80 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $234.10. 620,424 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 664,257. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. Universal Health Services has a 1-year low of $119.90 and a 1-year high of $243.25. The company has a market cap of $15.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.16, a P/E/G ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 1.27. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $228.76 and a 200-day moving average price of $198.55.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.8% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,099,282 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $1,295,335,000 after buying an additional 57,036 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its position in Universal Health Services by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 486,438 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $89,957,000 after acquiring an additional 2,620 shares during the period. Pzena Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 41.2% during the 1st quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 455,773 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $83,160,000 after acquiring an additional 132,942 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 362.3% during the 2nd quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 322,626 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $59,663,000 after acquiring an additional 252,846 shares during the period. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 357.9% in the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 261,221 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $48,308,000 after purchasing an additional 204,178 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total transaction of $180,293.50. Following the transaction, the director now owns 1,985 shares of the company's stock, valued at $421,038.35. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Universal Health Services news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total transaction of $180,293.50. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 1,985 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $421,038.35. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total transaction of $531,209.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,413 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,343,844.15. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 21,970 shares of company stock valued at $4,653,535 over the last three months. 16.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Universal Health Services announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the health services provider to purchase up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are typically an indication that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

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.