Research Analysts Offer Predictions for UHS FY2024 Earnings

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research raised their FY2024 earnings per share estimates for Universal Health Services in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, October 16th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the health services provider will post earnings per share of $15.42 for the year, up from their previous estimate of $15.40. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services’ current full-year earnings is $15.87 per share.

UHS has been the subject of several other research reports. Baird R W raised Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 26th. UBS Group boosted 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. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Monday, September 9th. TD Cowen raised Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and boosted their target price for the company from $220.00 to $283.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $229.77.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 1.1 %

Shares of UHS stock opened at $236.67 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $229.19 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $199.16. Universal Health Services has a 12-month low of $119.90 and a 12-month high of $243.25. The firm has a market cap of $15.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 1.27.

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

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total transaction of $531,209.25. Following the transaction, the director now owns 6,413 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,343,844.15. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the sale, the director now owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at $864,248.44. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total value of $531,209.25. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 6,413 shares in the company, valued at $1,343,844.15. The trade was 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 90 days. Company insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the health services provider to repurchase up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

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.