Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Releases Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.94 EPS

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The health services provider reported $4.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.37 by $0.94, Briefing.com reports. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 13.34% and a net margin of 5.57%. The firm had revenue of $3.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.87 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.53 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Universal Health Services updated its FY 2024 guidance to 15.400-16.200 EPS.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 10.2 %

Shares of UHS traded up $19.02 on Thursday, hitting $204.99. 2,759,481 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 639,201. The company has a market capitalization of $13.72 billion, a PE ratio of 17.34, a P/E/G ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.38. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $184.35 and a 200 day simple moving average of $173.21. Universal Health Services has a one year low of $119.90 and a one year high of $207.70.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.39%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 6.78%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UHS has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. TD Cowen raised their price objective on Universal Health Services from $181.00 to $183.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 30th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $189.00 to $226.00 in a report on Monday, May 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $182.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an “underweight” rating and set a $162.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $195.29.

Universal Health Services announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the health services provider to reacquire up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually a sign that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

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.