Equities Analysts Set Expectations for UHS Q1 Earnings

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) – Equities researchers 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, April 7th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the health services provider will post earnings per share of $4.24 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $4.22. 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 $4.65 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $4.42 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $18.58 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $4.68 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $4.94 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $5.06 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $5.41 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $20.08 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $5.04 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $21.15 EPS.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. The firm had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%.

Several other research firms also recently weighed in on UHS. Stephens upped their price target on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 10th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $200.00 price target on the stock. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $228.38.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS opened at $172.44 on Wednesday. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $180.74 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $194.21. Universal Health Services has a fifty-two week low of $152.69 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25. The stock has a market cap of $11.21 billion, a PE ratio of 11.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. 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 Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.46%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 4.75%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 16.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 73.0% during the 3rd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,226 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $510,000 after buying an additional 939 shares in the last quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 100.6% during the 3rd quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC now owns 2,237 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $512,000 after buying an additional 1,122 shares in the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,546,000. MML Investors Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 18.6% during the 3rd quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 2,030 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $465,000 after acquiring an additional 318 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 18,042 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $4,132,000 after acquiring an additional 206 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

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.