Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Given Average Rating of "Hold" by Analysts

Key Points

• Analyst consensus: Sixteen analysts give UHS an average rating of "Hold" (1 sell, 9 hold, 6 buy) with a mean 1‑year price target of $232.21.
• Earnings and outlook: UHS slightly missed quarterly estimates (EPS $5.88 vs. $5.92; revenue $4.49B vs. $4.50B) while revenue rose 9.1% year‑over‑year and the company set FY2026 EPS guidance of $22.64–$24.52.
• Dividend & valuation: UHS declared a $0.20 quarterly dividend (annualized $0.80, ~0.4% yield) and trades at a P/E of 8.24 with a market cap of $11.65 billion.

Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of "Hold" from the sixteen ratings firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, nine have issued a hold recommendation and six have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $232.2143.

Several research firms have recently commented on UHS. Barclays upped their price target on Universal Health Services from $262.00 to $268.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 26th. UBS Group reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Guggenheim upped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $253.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Weiss Ratings restated a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $235.00 to $212.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 2nd.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 1.0%

UHS opened at $190.72 on Tuesday. Universal Health Services has a one year low of $152.33 and a one year high of $246.32. The company has a market cap of $11.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.24, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 1.05. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $212.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is $211.91.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 25th. The health services provider reported $5.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $5.92 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $4.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.50 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.57% and a return on equity of 19.65%. The business's revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $4.92 EPS. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2026 guidance at 22.640-24.520 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Investors of record on Monday, March 2nd will be paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.4%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 3.46%.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Elyxium Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 320.0% in the 3rd quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 126 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Founders Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

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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