Leerink Partnrs Issues Negative Estimate for UHS Earnings

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Leerink Partnrs dropped their Q1 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Universal Health Services in a research report issued on Tuesday, October 29th. Leerink Partnrs analyst W. Mayo now anticipates that the health services provider will post earnings per share of $4.36 for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $4.50. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services' current full-year earnings is $15.89 per share. Leerink Partnrs also issued estimates for Universal Health Services' Q2 2025 earnings at $4.75 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $18.29 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $19.84 EPS.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The company had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.55 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis.

Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated a "neutral" rating and set a $219.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 25th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $255.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. 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 company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $231.00.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS stock traded up $0.95 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $205.26. 626,625 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 676,617. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $227.19 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $202.09. The firm has a market cap of $13.69 billion, a PE ratio of 13.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.27. 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 has a 1-year low of $125.69 and a 1-year high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the health services provider to reacquire up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often an indication that the company's management believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $864,248.44. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at $864,248.44. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the sale, the director now owns 1,985 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $421,038.35. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth about $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the second quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth approximately $43,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other 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.