Zacks Research Has Positive Outlook of UHS FY2024 Earnings

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research lifted their FY2024 earnings estimates for shares of Universal Health Services in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, November 7th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now anticipates that the health services provider will earn $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.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings results 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). The business had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The firm’s revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.55 earnings per share.

A number of other research firms have also recently issued reports on UHS. Barclays increased their target price on Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. KeyCorp assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 11th. They issued a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 28th. Six equities research 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 1.6 %

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $205.32 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $13.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.65, a PEG ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.29. Universal Health Services has a 12 month low of $129.34 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $223.21 and its 200 day simple moving average is $204.93. 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 announced that its board has approved a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the health services provider to reacquire up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UHS. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the second quarter valued at $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Huntington National Bank raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

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.