Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Forecast for UHS Earnings

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Zacks Research boosted their Q1 2025 EPS estimates for Universal Health Services in a research report issued on Monday, November 18th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the health services provider will post earnings per share of $3.67 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $3.66. 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' Q2 2025 earnings at $3.83 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $4.12 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $4.13 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $4.54 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $4.72 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $18.84 EPS.

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

Other analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $219.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. TD Cowen reduced their target price on Universal Health Services from $283.00 to $275.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 28th. Finally, Stephens reissued an "equal weight" rating and issued a $200.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

NYSE UHS traded down $0.91 on Wednesday, reaching $195.88. The company's stock had a trading volume of 399,645 shares, compared to its average volume of 680,280. Universal Health Services has a twelve month low of $133.70 and a twelve month 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. The firm's 50 day moving average is $220.04 and its two-hundred day moving average is $206.01. The stock has a market cap of $12.92 billion, a PE ratio of 13.08, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.29.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.8% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,099,282 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $1,295,335,000 after purchasing an additional 57,036 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 597.1% during the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,680 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $304,000 after acquiring an additional 1,439 shares during the last quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 1.9% during the first quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 28,962 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $5,284,000 after acquiring an additional 541 shares during the period. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 501.5% in the first quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd now owns 5,919 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $1,080,000 after purchasing an additional 4,935 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 5,033.3% in the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 7,084 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $1,292,000 after buying an additional 6,946 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Universal Health Services declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, July 24th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits 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 management believes its stock is undervalued.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

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.