Zacks Research Has Bullish Estimate for UHS Q3 Earnings

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research lifted their Q3 2024 earnings estimates for shares of Universal Health Services in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, October 16th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the health services provider will earn $3.48 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $3.47. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services’ current full-year earnings is $15.87 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Universal Health Services’ Q4 2024 earnings at $3.93 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $3.62 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $3.78 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $15.43 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $4.45 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $18.42 EPS.

Other research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $255.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Monday, September 9th. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. TD Cowen raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $220.00 to $283.00 in a report on Wednesday. Finally, KeyCorp assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 11th. They set a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $229.77.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 1.1 %

Universal Health Services stock opened at $236.67 on Thursday. Universal Health Services has a twelve month low of $119.90 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $229.19 and a 200-day moving average price of $198.98. The company has a market capitalization of $15.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.06, a P/E/G ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.37 by $0.94. The firm had revenue of $3.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.87 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.22% and a return on equity of 14.91%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.53 EPS.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UHS. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter worth about $35,000. Mather Group LLC. purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total value of $531,209.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,413 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,343,844.15. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total value of $531,209.25. Following the sale, the director now owns 6,413 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,343,844.15. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.85, for a total transaction of $3,192,479.85. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,253 shares in the company, valued at $1,107,595.05. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 21,970 shares of company stock worth $4,653,535 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has approved a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the health services provider to purchase up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is 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.