What is Zacks Research's Estimate for UHS FY2024 Earnings?

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) - Zacks Research raised their FY2024 earnings per share estimates for Universal Health Services in a research report issued on Wednesday, October 16th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the health services provider will post earnings of $15.42 per share for the year, up from their previous estimate of $15.40. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services' current full-year earnings is $15.87 per share.

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

A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on the company. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. StockNews.com cut Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, October 11th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $219.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, October 1st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $229.77.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UHS traded up $2.51 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $236.67. The stock had a trading volume of 993,381 shares, compared to its average volume of 665,887. The company has a market capitalization of $15.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 1.27. Universal Health Services has a 12-month low of $119.90 and a 12-month high of $243.25. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $229.19 and a 200-day moving average of $198.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.28.

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 buy up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually an indication that the company's board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total transaction of $531,209.25. Following the transaction, the director now owns 6,413 shares in the company, valued at $1,343,844.15. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total transaction of $531,209.25. Following the transaction, the director now owns 6,413 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,343,844.15. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at approximately $864,248.44. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 21,970 shares of company stock worth $4,653,535. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $36,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Universal Health Services

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.