Zacks Research Has Negative Estimate for UHS Q3 Earnings

Key Points

• Zacks Research lowered UHS’s Q3 2026 EPS estimate to $5.48 from $5.63, while projecting FY2026 EPS of $23.07 versus the $23.15 consensus.
• Universal Health Services recently beat quarterly expectations, reporting $5.98 EPS and $4.64 billion in revenue; revenue increased 8.3% year over year.
• Analyst sentiment remains cautious, with the stock carrying a consensus “Hold” rating and an average price target of $204.93. UHS also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share.

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) - Zacks Research decreased their Q3 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Universal Health Services in a research note issued to investors on Monday, August 10th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the health services provider will post earnings per share of $5.48 for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $5.63. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services' current full-year earnings is $23.15 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Universal Health Services' Q4 2026 earnings at $5.99 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $23.07 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $5.77 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $5.96 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $6.10 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $6.42 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $24.25 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $6.27 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $6.56 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $26.47 EPS.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.98 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.94 by $0.04. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.39% and a net margin of 8.42%.The business had revenue of $4.64 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.58 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $5.35 earnings per share. Universal Health Services's revenue was up 8.3% compared to the same quarter last year.

A number of other analysts have also commented on the stock. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $197.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, June 22nd. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $179.00 to $168.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $190.00 to $183.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Raymond James Financial downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Finally, Guggenheim reduced their target price on Universal Health Services from $195.00 to $189.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $204.93.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of UHS opened at $172.74 on Tuesday. The business's 50-day moving average price is $153.02 and its 200 day moving average price is $176.68. The company has a current ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.04, a P/E/G ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 1.05. Universal Health Services has a 1-year low of $140.08 and a 1-year high of $246.32.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 2,665 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $501,000 after buying an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. United Services Automobile Association bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $235,000. Focus Partners Wealth lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 80.6% in the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 2,631 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $494,000 after acquiring an additional 1,174 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 95.0% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 583 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $106,000 after acquiring an additional 284 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Gamco Investors INC. ET AL bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the second quarter worth approximately $379,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 1st. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 3.26%.

Key Universal Health Services News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised its FY2026 EPS estimate slightly to $23.07 from $23.04, although the new forecast remains just below the broader consensus estimate of $23.15.
• Neutral Sentiment: The firm maintained estimates of $24.25 EPS for FY2027 and $26.47 EPS for FY2028 after incorporating revisions across individual quarters.
• Negative Sentiment: Near-term forecasts were reduced, including Q3 2026 EPS to $5.48 from $5.63 and Q4 2026 EPS to $5.99 from $6.30. FY2026 earnings were still raised marginally because of other quarterly adjustments.
• Negative Sentiment: Longer-term estimates also declined: Q1 2027 EPS was cut to $5.77 from $5.93, Q3 2027 to $6.10 from $6.21, and Q4 2027 to $6.42 from $6.53. FY2027 EPS fell to $24.25 from $24.59.
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks lowered its FY2028 EPS forecast to $26.47 from $27.10, while Q1 2028 EPS was reduced to $6.27 from $6.35 and Q2 2028 to $6.56 from $6.57.

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.

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