Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Outlook for UHS Earnings

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) - Equities research analysts at Zacks Research decreased their Q4 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Universal Health Services in a note issued to investors on Monday, April 7th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the health services provider will earn $5.27 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $5.29. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services' current full-year earnings is $15.92 per share.

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $226.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. Stephens raised their target price on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Guggenheim initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday. They set a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective for the company. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $226.93.

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Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS stock traded down $3.19 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $175.05. The company's stock had a trading volume of 985,904 shares, compared to its average volume of 748,441. The firm's 50-day moving average is $179.93 and its two-hundred day moving average is $192.84. The company has a market cap of $11.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.64, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. Universal Health Services has a 1-year low of $152.69 and a 1-year high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. The business had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Quent Capital LLC lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 118.3% during the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Sentry Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $35,000. Campbell Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth about $46,000. Finally, Huntington National Bank raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 55.6% during the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 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.