Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS Stock Holdings Raised by Danske Bank A S

Key Points

• Danske Bank raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 25.6% to 140,514 shares (about $30.6M), and several other large funds (Pzena, Holocene, Dimensional, etc.) also materially increased holdings, leaving institutional ownership at 86.05%.
• UHS beat Q1 estimates, posting $5.62 EPS vs. $5.41 expected and $4.50B in revenue (up 9.6% YoY), and set FY2026 guidance of $22.64–$24.52 EPS with analysts projecting roughly 23.34 EPS for the year.
• Despite the beat, shares fell amid concerns about patient volume softness and management tone, prompting several brokers to trim price targets and leaving UHS with an average analyst rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $220.94.

Danske Bank A S raised its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 25.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 140,514 shares of the health services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 28,632 shares during the period. Danske Bank A S owned 0.22% of Universal Health Services worth $30,635,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of UHS. Pzena Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 310.2% in the 3rd quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 1,607,029 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $328,541,000 after purchasing an additional 1,215,286 shares during the last quarter. Nomura Holdings Inc. increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 100.6% in the 2nd quarter. Nomura Holdings Inc. now owns 2,560 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $464,000 after purchasing an additional 426,211 shares during the last quarter. Holocene Advisors LP increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 262.4% in the 3rd quarter. Holocene Advisors LP now owns 358,885 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $73,370,000 after purchasing an additional 259,861 shares during the last quarter. Varenne Capital Partners bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter worth about $37,670,000. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 13.8% in the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,494,464 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $305,510,000 after purchasing an additional 181,801 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

NYSE UHS opened at $167.16 on Friday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $152.33 and a 52 week high of $246.32. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The stock has a market cap of $10.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $188.99 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $209.01.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, April 27th. The health services provider reported $5.62 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.41 by $0.21. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.56% and a return on equity of 19.57%. The firm had revenue of $4.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.39 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $4.84 EPS. Universal Health Services's quarterly revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2026 guidance at 22.640-24.520 EPS. Analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 23.34 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd were given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is 3.33%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on UHS. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $245.00 to $230.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $233.00 to $212.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Raymond James Financial downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $241.00 to $204.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $220.94.

More Universal Health Services News

Here are the key news stories impacting Universal Health Services this week:

• Positive Sentiment: UHS reiterated its full‑year 2026 volume targets despite softer seasonal volumes in Q1, signaling management confidence in recovery and that the Q1 hit may be temporary. Investors may view this as a stabilizing sign for guidance. UHS reaffirms 2026 volume targets
• Positive Sentiment: UHS deployed eight AI solutions in its revenue cycle in 2025 and is evaluating clinical operation use — potential margin upside and efficiency gains if rollouts scale. This supports longer‑term operating leverage. UHS deployed 8 AI solutions
• Neutral Sentiment: UHS is scheduled to present at the BofA Securities Health Care Conference (May 12). Management comments there could move shares if they provide clearer color on volumes, margins or M&A. UHS to present at BofA conference
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts’ views are mixed on UHS relative to peers — differing takes may sustain volatility as investors parse which franchises (behavioral, acute, outpatient) will drive recovery. Analysts’ opinions mixed
• Negative Sentiment: Despite beating Q1 estimates, UHS shares fell after the quarter as investors focused on volume softness and the tone from the call rather than the beat — short‑term sentiment hurt. Why UHS is down after Q1
• Negative Sentiment: Coverage updates trimmed price targets: Stephens and Morgan Stanley lowered targets and kept “equal weight,” while several firms lowered targets (Mizuho, TD Cowen) even if ratings were maintained. Those revisions pressure sentiment and cap near‑term upside. Stephens price target cut Morgan Stanley price target cut
• Negative Sentiment: Q1 commentary/coverage noting that earnings growth was dampened by volume hits underscores the risk that patient volumes — not just pricing or cost control — will determine near‑term results. Q1 growth dampened by volume hits

About Universal Health Services

Universal Health Services, Inc NYSE: UHS is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS's facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.

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