Leerink Partnrs Has Strong Estimate for UHS Q1 Earnings

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) – Equities researchers at Leerink Partnrs increased their Q1 2025 earnings estimates for Universal Health Services in a research report issued on Thursday, February 27th. Leerink Partnrs analyst W. Mayo now expects that the health services provider will earn $4.74 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $4.36. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services’ current full-year earnings is $15.92 per share. Leerink Partnrs also issued estimates for Universal Health Services’ Q1 2025 earnings at $4.74 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $4.84 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $3.98 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $5.02 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $5.02 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $18.59 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $5.23 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $20.10 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $20.10 EPS.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.21 by $0.71. The company had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the company. Bank of America started coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Stephens restated an “equal weight” rating and set a $210.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 25th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $225.29.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

UHS stock opened at $185.26 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $12.22 billion, a PE ratio of 12.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $184.57 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $205.32. Universal Health Services has a 12-month low of $152.68 and a 12-month high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is 5.32%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total value of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This trade represents a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Quent Capital LLC lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Huntington National Bank grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 414.3% during the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Campbell Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $46,000. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

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.