Zacks Research Issues Positive Outlook for UHS Earnings

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) – 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 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 prior estimate 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.

Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Stephens reiterated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $200.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 9th. UBS Group boosted their price target on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 0.0 %

Shares of NYSE UHS opened at $197.59 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.14, a PEG ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.29. Universal Health Services has a one year low of $133.70 and a one year high of $243.25. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $218.71 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $205.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued 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 firm had revenue of $3.96 billion for 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 company’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.55 EPS.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Financial Management Professionals Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Huntington National Bank grew its position in Universal Health Services by 414.3% during the third 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 period. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.40%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 3rd. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is 5.32%.

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.