Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Estimate for UHS Earnings

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) – Analysts at Zacks Research cut their Q4 2025 earnings estimates for 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 of $5.27 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $5.29. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services’ current full-year earnings is $15.92 per share.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion.

UHS has been the subject of several other research reports. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased 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 assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $200.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their target price for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $226.93.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $175.05 on Thursday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $179.93 and a 200-day simple moving average of $192.84. The company has a market cap of $11.38 billion, a PE ratio of 11.64, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. Universal Health Services has a one year low of $152.69 and a one year 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.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date 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 related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UHS. Choreo LLC increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.4% during the fourth quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 1,822 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $325,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares during the period. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 3,060 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $549,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. LRI Investments LLC increased its position in Universal Health Services by 18.1% during the 3rd quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 456 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $104,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares during the period. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. increased its position in Universal Health Services by 5.9% during the 4th quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,266 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $227,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the period. Finally, Platinum Investment Management Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 17.6% during the 4th quarter. Platinum Investment Management Ltd. now owns 488 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $88,000 after buying an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.