Leerink Partnrs Has Positive Outlook of UHS Q1 Earnings

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) – Analysts at Leerink Partnrs increased their Q1 2025 earnings per share estimates for Universal Health Services in a research note issued on Thursday, February 27th. Leerink Partnrs analyst W. Mayo now forecasts that the health services provider will post earnings of $4.74 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $4.36. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services’ current full-year earnings is $15.92 per share. Leerink Partnrs also issued estimates for Universal Health Services’ Q1 2025 earnings at $4.74 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $4.84 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $3.98 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $5.02 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $5.02 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $18.59 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $5.23 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $20.10 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $20.10 EPS.

UHS has been the subject of several other research reports. TD Cowen decreased their target price on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Stephens boosted 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. Finally, StockNews.com cut Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 9th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $228.77.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UHS opened at $175.07 on Friday. Universal Health Services has a 1-year low of $152.68 and a 1-year high of $243.25. The business has a 50-day moving average of $184.47 and a 200-day moving average of $205.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The company has a market capitalization of $11.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.64, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.30.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly 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 the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in UHS. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 78.9% during the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 322 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $74,000 after purchasing an additional 142 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 10,309.1% in the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 2,290 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $524,000 after buying an additional 2,268 shares in the last quarter. Forsta AP Fonden grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 22.2% in the 3rd quarter. Forsta AP Fonden now owns 11,000 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $2,519,000 after buying an additional 2,000 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 111.7% in the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 4,875 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,116,000 after buying an additional 2,572 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 61.8% in the 3rd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 32,429 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $7,427,000 after buying an additional 12,387 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total transaction of $308,516.10. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This represents a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.46%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is 5.32%.

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.