Leerink Partnrs Has Positive Forecast for UHS Q1 Earnings

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) – Stock analysts at Leerink Partnrs upped their Q1 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Universal Health Services in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, October 23rd. Leerink Partnrs analyst W. Mayo now forecasts that the health services provider will post earnings per share of $4.50 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $4.38. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services’ current full-year earnings is $15.87 per share. Leerink Partnrs also issued estimates for Universal Health Services’ Q2 2025 earnings at $4.87 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $4.23 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $4.76 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $18.35 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $20.04 EPS.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. UBS Group raised their target price on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. StockNews.com raised Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, October 19th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a report on Monday, September 9th. Finally, Stephens reaffirmed an “equal weight” rating and set a $200.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $232.46.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 9.8 %

Shares of UHS stock opened at $202.67 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $229.55 and a 200 day simple moving average of $200.81. Universal Health Services has a fifty-two week low of $121.00 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.18, a P/E/G ratio of 0.77 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 released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. The business had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.55 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year.

Universal Health Services declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan 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 buy up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are often an indication that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total value of $180,293.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 1,985 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $421,038.35. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $864,248.44. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total value of $180,293.50. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 1,985 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $421,038.35. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,099,282 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,295,335,000 after purchasing an additional 57,036 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 486,438 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $89,957,000 after purchasing an additional 2,620 shares in the last quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 41.2% during the 1st quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 455,773 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $83,160,000 after purchasing an additional 132,942 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 362.3% during the 2nd quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 322,626 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $59,663,000 after purchasing an additional 252,846 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 357.9% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 261,221 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $48,308,000 after purchasing an additional 204,178 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.