Q3 2024 EPS Estimates for Universal Health Services, Inc. Boosted by Zacks Research (NYSE:UHS)

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) – Zacks Research upped their Q3 2024 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Universal Health Services in a report issued on Wednesday, October 16th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the health services provider will post earnings of $3.48 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $3.47. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services’ current full-year earnings is $15.87 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Universal Health Services’ Q4 2024 earnings at $3.93 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $3.62 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $3.78 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $15.43 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $4.45 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $18.42 EPS.

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

Several other brokerages have also issued reports on UHS. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $255.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Barclays upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and boosted their target price for the company from $198.00 to $256.00 in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, October 1st. KeyCorp assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 11th. They set a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Monday, September 9th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $229.77.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 5.1 %

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $236.90 on Thursday. Universal Health Services has a 1 year low of $119.90 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 1.17. The business’s 50-day moving average is $228.45 and its 200-day moving average is $198.30. The company has a market capitalization of $15.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.37, a P/E/G ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 1.27.

Universal Health Services announced that its board has initiated a share repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the health services provider to reacquire up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 directly owns 6,413 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,343,844.15. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.85, for a total transaction of $3,192,479.85. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,253 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,107,595.05. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total transaction of $531,209.25. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 6,413 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,343,844.15. This trade represents 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 valued at $4,653,535 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

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

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.