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

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) – Analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q1 2025 earnings per share estimates for shares of Universal Health Services in a research report issued on Monday, November 18th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the health services provider will earn $3.67 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $3.66. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services’ current full-year earnings is $15.93 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Universal Health Services’ Q2 2025 earnings at $3.83 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $4.12 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $4.13 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $4.54 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $4.72 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $18.84 EPS.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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). The firm had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.55 EPS.

Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 25th. KeyCorp initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 11th. They set a “sector weight” rating for the company. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 9th. Barclays lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price target on the stock. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.6 %

UHS opened at $196.79 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $220.04 and a 200 day simple moving average of $206.01. The company has a market cap of $12.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.29. Universal Health Services has a fifty-two week low of $133.70 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in UHS. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted 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 worth $33,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the second quarter valued at about $35,000. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, Huntington National Bank raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 414.3% during the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has initiated a share buyback 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 repurchase up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are 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.