Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Outlook for UHS Earnings

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) - Equities research analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q3 2025 earnings estimates for Universal Health Services in a report issued on Wednesday, March 12th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the health services provider will post earnings per share of $4.40 for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $4.12. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services' current full-year earnings is $15.92 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Universal Health Services' Q1 2026 earnings at $4.67 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $4.93 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $5.05 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $21.12 EPS.

A number of other brokerages have also recently issued reports on UHS. The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $230.75.

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Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of Universal Health Services stock traded up $1.64 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $176.22. The company had a trading volume of 903,051 shares, compared to its average volume of 700,339. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company has a market capitalization of $11.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $182.70 and a 200 day simple moving average of $200.27. Universal Health Services has a 1-year low of $152.69 and a 1-year high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.21 by $0.71. The company had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Quent Capital LLC increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at $39,000. Huntington National Bank increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Campbell Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at $46,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.45%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is currently 4.75%.

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.