Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Estimate for UHS Earnings

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) - Equities research analysts at Zacks Research lifted their Q1 2025 earnings per share estimates for shares of Universal Health Services in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, March 12th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the health services provider will post earnings of $4.22 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $3.67. 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' Q2 2025 earnings at $4.62 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $5.29 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $18.53 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $5.40 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $20.05 EPS.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results 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. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The firm had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion.

Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Stephens boosted their price target on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Barclays dropped their price target on 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. TD Cowen lowered their target price on 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. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $230.75.

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Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Universal Health Services stock traded up $1.10 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $179.18. 504,416 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 700,269. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $182.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $199.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.93, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. Universal Health Services has a 1 year low of $152.69 and a 1 year high of $243.25.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. First Eagle Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.0% during the fourth quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 4,675,182 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $838,821,000 after buying an additional 44,099 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.6% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,724,075 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $623,840,000 after buying an additional 17,527 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.1% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,713,572 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $306,776,000 after buying an additional 52,042 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 25.6% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,241,340 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $222,721,000 after buying an additional 253,385 shares during the period. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.9% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,197,537 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $274,248,000 after buying an additional 10,578 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm 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 was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.45%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio 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.