Leerink Partnrs Issues Optimistic Forecast for UHS Earnings

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) – Stock analysts at Leerink Partnrs raised their Q1 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Universal Health Services in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, October 23rd. Leerink Partnrs analyst W. Mayo now expects that the health services provider will post earnings per share of $4.50 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $4.38. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services’ current full-year earnings is $15.87 per share. Leerink Partnrs also issued estimates for Universal Health Services’ Q2 2025 earnings at $4.87 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $4.23 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $4.76 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $18.35 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $20.04 EPS.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.75 by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.55 earnings per share.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on UHS. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Monday, September 9th. StockNews.com raised Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday, October 19th. Stephens restated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $200.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $255.00 to $275.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Friday. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $232.46.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 9.8 %

Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $202.75 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $13.57 billion, a PE ratio of 17.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.27. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $229.55 and a 200 day moving average price of $201.02. Universal Health Services has a 1 year low of $121.00 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 1.17.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has approved a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the health services provider to buy up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $864,248.44. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $864,248.44. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total value of $180,293.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 1,985 shares in the company, valued at $421,038.35. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of UHS. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the second quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at $36,000. 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.