Research Analysts Offer Predictions for UHS FY2025 Earnings

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research increased their FY2025 earnings estimates for shares of Universal Health Services in a note issued to investors on Monday, November 18th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the health services provider will post earnings per share of $15.75 for the year, up from their previous forecast of $15.72. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services’ current full-year earnings is $15.93 per share.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued 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). Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.55 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis.

Several other research firms have also recently issued reports on UHS. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price target on the stock. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, TD Cowen dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $283.00 to $275.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 0.3 %

NYSE UHS opened at $197.44 on Thursday. Universal Health Services has a 12 month low of $133.70 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The stock has a market cap of $13.03 billion, a PE ratio of 13.13, a P/E/G ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.29. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $219.39 and its 200 day moving average is $205.95.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UHS. Virtu Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter worth about $2,194,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter worth about $69,000. Toronto Dominion Bank lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 1.0% in the third quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 29,413 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $6,736,000 after purchasing an additional 283 shares during the last quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at approximately $271,000. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 4.0% during the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,661,530 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $379,403,000 after buying an additional 63,754 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback program on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the health services provider to repurchase up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.41%. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is presently 5.32%.

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.