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

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Zacks Research upped their FY2024 earnings estimates for Universal Health Services in a research report issued on Thursday, November 7th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the health services provider will post earnings of $15.75 per share for the year, up from their prior forecast of $15.42. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services' current full-year earnings is $15.93 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Universal Health Services' Q4 2024 earnings at $4.03 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $3.66 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $3.82 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $4.11 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $4.12 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $15.72 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $4.53 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $4.71 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $4.87 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $18.80 EPS.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. KeyCorp started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 11th. They issued a "sector weight" rating for the company. Stephens reaffirmed an "equal weight" rating and set a $200.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note 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's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 0.5 %

Universal Health Services stock traded up $1.06 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $208.56. 478,951 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 680,827. The company has a market cap of $13.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.87, a P/E/G ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a fifty day moving average of $223.83 and a 200-day moving average of $204.65. Universal Health Services has a twelve month low of $129.34 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

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 earnings per share (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 business had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.90 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.55 EPS. The firm's revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis.

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

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Huntington National Bank grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 414.3% during the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the second quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth about $36,000. 86.05% of the stock is 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.