Zacks Research Issues Positive Outlook for UHS Earnings

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) – Analysts at Zacks Research boosted their Q3 2025 earnings per share estimates for Universal Health Services in a research report issued on Wednesday, March 12th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the health services provider will post earnings of $4.40 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $4.12. 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’ Q1 2026 earnings at $4.67 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $4.93 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $5.05 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $21.12 EPS.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Stephens lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their price target for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 10th. TD Cowen dropped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. 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. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $230.75.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of UHS stock opened at $167.83 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Universal Health Services has a 12-month low of $152.68 and a 12-month high of $243.25. The company has a market cap of $11.07 billion, a PE ratio of 11.16, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $182.83 and its 200-day simple moving average is $201.19.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 business had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth approximately $67,964,000. Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 25.6% in the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,241,340 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $222,721,000 after acquiring an additional 253,385 shares during the last quarter. Amundi grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 189.5% in the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 360,070 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $68,532,000 after acquiring an additional 235,689 shares during the last quarter. Freestone Grove Partners LP acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth $41,155,000. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 59.4% during the fourth quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 590,389 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $105,928,000 after purchasing an additional 219,942 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.48%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.75%.

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.