Head to Head Analysis: Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) versus Ardent Health Partners (NYSE:ARDT)

Ardent Health Partners (NYSE:ARDT) and Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) are both medical companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations and dividends.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Ardent Health Partners and Universal Health Services”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Ardent Health Partners	$5.63 billion	0.50	$53.90 million	N/A	N/A
Universal Health Services	$14.28 billion	1.11	$717.79 million	$13.64	17.35

Universal Health Services has higher revenue and earnings than Ardent Health Partners.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

86.1% of Universal Health Services shares are owned by institutional investors. 16.1% of Universal Health Services shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Ardent Health Partners and Universal Health Services’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Ardent Health Partners	N/A	N/A	N/A
Universal Health Services	6.22%	14.91%	6.71%

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Ardent Health Partners and Universal Health Services, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Ardent Health Partners	0	1	9	2	3.08
Universal Health Services	0	5	9	1	2.73

Ardent Health Partners currently has a consensus target price of $21.91, suggesting a potential upside of 12.12%. Universal Health Services has a consensus target price of $229.77, suggesting a potential downside of 2.92%. Given Ardent Health Partners’ stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe Ardent Health Partners is more favorable than Universal Health Services.

Summary

Universal Health Services beats Ardent Health Partners on 8 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Ardent Health Partners

Ardent Health Partners, Inc. owns and operates a network of hospitals and clinics that provides a range of healthcare services in the United States. It operates acute care hospitals, including rehabilitation hospitals and surgical hospitals. The company was founded in 2001 and is based in Brentwood, Tennessee. Ardent Health Partners, Inc. is a subsidiary of EGI-AM Investments, L.L.C.

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. It also provides commercial health insurance services; and various management services, which include central purchasing, information, finance and control systems, facilities planning, physician recruitment, administrative personnel management, marketing, and public relations services. Universal Health Services, Inc. founded in 1978 and is headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.