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

Key Points

• Analyst consensus: Fifteen analysts give UHS a “Hold” (1 sell, 8 hold, 6 buy) with an average 12‑month price target of $232.21.
• Recent results: Q4 EPS of $5.88 and revenue of $4.49B narrowly missed estimates, with revenue up 9.1% year‑over‑year and FY2026 guidance set at $22.64–$24.52 EPS (analysts currently forecast ~15.92).
• Valuation and ownership: Shares around $176.75 imply a P/E of 7.63 and a $10.8B market cap, the stock yields 0.5% ($0.20 quarterly), and institutional investors own about 86% with several large recent inflows.

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of "Hold" by the fifteen analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $232.2143.

Several research firms have commented on UHS. Wall Street Zen downgraded Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday. UBS Group reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. TD Cowen dropped their target price on Universal Health Services from $251.00 to $245.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, March 2nd.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.0%

Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $176.75 on Friday. 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 company has a market capitalization of $10.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.63, a PEG ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.29. Universal Health Services has a 1 year low of $152.33 and a 1 year high of $246.32. The company's fifty day moving average is $203.53 and its two-hundred day moving average is $211.60.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The health services provider reported $5.88 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $5.92 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.57% and a return on equity of 19.65%. The business had revenue of $4.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.50 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $4.92 earnings per share. Universal Health Services's quarterly revenue was up 9.1% 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 will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 2nd were paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 2nd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 3.46%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Pzena Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 310.2% during the third quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 1,607,029 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $328,541,000 after acquiring an additional 1,215,286 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at $199,334,000. Nomura Holdings Inc. boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 100.6% during 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 in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 59.5% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 871,377 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $189,978,000 after purchasing an additional 325,162 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Holocene Advisors LP grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 262.4% during 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 period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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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