Vanguard Group Inc. Sells 172,336 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Vanguard Group Inc. cut its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 2.6% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 6,486,542 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 172,336 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. owned 0.10% of Universal Health Services worth $1,414,196,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its position in Universal Health Services by 34.9% in the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 68,501 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $13,941,000 after acquiring an additional 17,728 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 22.1% in the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 781,145 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $159,698,000 after purchasing an additional 141,621 shares during the period. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,359,000. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 36.0% in the third quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 54,960 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $11,236,000 after purchasing an additional 14,536 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AMG National Trust Bank bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at $1,912,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 0.1%

UHS stock opened at $168.19 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $188.99 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $208.93. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $152.33 and a twelve month high of $246.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.27 billion, a PE ratio of 7.01, a PEG ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 27th. The health services provider reported $5.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.41 by $0.21. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.56% and a return on equity of 19.57%. The firm had revenue of $4.50 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.39 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $4.84 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2026 guidance at 22.640-24.520 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 23.46 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd were issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 2nd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 3.33%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their target price on Universal Health Services from $261.00 to $230.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $268.00 to $238.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday. Mizuho dropped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $267.00 to $230.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Friday, April 17th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Sunday, April 12th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $220.94.

More Universal Health Services News

Here are the key news stories impacting Universal Health Services this week:

• Positive Sentiment: UHS is stepping up digital transformation — the company deployed eight AI solutions in its revenue‑cycle operations in 2025 and says it plans to expand AI into clinical operations, a potential source of margin improvement and cost savings over time. UHS deployed 8 AI solutions in revenue cycle in 2025, eyes clinical operations
• Positive Sentiment: Management will present at the BofA Securities Health Care Conference on May 12 — scheduled investor access could provide more color on volumes, margins and AI rollout, which may help stabilize sentiment. UHS to present at BofA conference
• Positive Sentiment: Some long‑term value commentators continue to view UHS as an attractive value play based on current valuation metrics and cashflow profile, which could interest value investors buying weakness. Why UHS is a top value stock for long-term
• Neutral Sentiment: Q1 2026 summary: UHS reported a beat on EPS and revenue but noted volume headwinds that dampened earnings growth; management reaffirmed FY‑2026 guidance range (22.64–24.52 EPS) on prior release — mixed fundamentals are producing a split market reaction. Q1 2026 Earnings Call Summary
• Neutral Sentiment: Market writeups aggregating reactions (MSN/Yahoo) explain the paradox: EPS beat but weaker volumes and outlook commentary prompted a selloff despite the beat — useful reading for context. Why UHS stock is up today
• Negative Sentiment: Operational concern: multiple outlets highlight Q1 earnings growth was dampened by lower patient volumes — that weakness in utilization is the principal near‑term risk to revenue and margin recovery. Q1 earnings growth dampened by volume hits
• Negative Sentiment: Immediate market reaction: coverage highlights that UHS shares moved lower after the report despite the beat — investors appear focused on the volume/trajectory story rather than the headline numbers. Why Is UHS Down 9.0% After Beating Q1 2026 Estimates?
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst sentiment has turned more cautious: several firms trimmed price targets this week (Stephens, Morgan Stanley, Mizuho, TD Cowen, RBC, Deutsche Bank, Baird), which increases selling pressure and signals lower near‑term upside in sell‑side expectations. Stephens adjusts price target on UHS

Universal Health Services Company Profile

Universal Health Services, Inc (NYSE: UHS) is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS’s facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.