What is Zacks Research’s Estimate for UHS Q1 Earnings?

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research increased their Q1 2025 EPS estimates for Universal Health Services in a report issued on Wednesday, March 12th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the health services provider will post earnings of $4.22 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $3.67. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services’ current full-year earnings is $15.92 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Universal Health Services’ Q2 2025 earnings at $4.62 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $5.29 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $18.53 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $5.40 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $20.05 EPS.

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

UHS has been the topic of several other research reports. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 10th. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $226.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their price target for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $230.75.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

UHS stock opened at $176.22 on Monday. Universal Health Services has a 12-month low of $152.69 and a 12-month high of $243.25. 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 firm’s 50-day moving average price is $182.50 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $199.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.72, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in UHS. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth approximately $67,964,000. Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 25.6% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,241,340 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $222,721,000 after purchasing an additional 253,385 shares during the last quarter. Amundi raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 189.5% during the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 360,070 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $68,532,000 after purchasing an additional 235,689 shares during the last quarter. Freestone Grove Partners LP purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $41,155,000. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 59.4% during the fourth quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 590,389 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $105,928,000 after purchasing an additional 219,942 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is currently 4.75%.

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.