Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Issues FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) issued an update on its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Wednesday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 22.640-24.520 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 23.440. The company issued revenue guidance of $18.4 billion-$18.8 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $18.3 billion.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UHS has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. UBS Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Raymond James Financial set a $270.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $263.00 to $262.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Guggenheim lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $253.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an “equal weight” rating and set a $235.00 price objective (down from $259.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $234.13.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

NYSE UHS traded up $0.80 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $230.78. 943,409 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 716,450. The company has a market capitalization of $14.42 billion, a PE ratio of 10.96, a PEG ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 0.96. Universal Health Services has a 52-week low of $152.33 and a 52-week high of $246.32. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $216.61 and its 200-day moving average is $210.34.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The health services provider reported $5.88 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $5.91 by ($0.03). Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.47% and a net margin of 8.09%.Universal Health Services has set its FY 2026 guidance at 22.640-24.520 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd will be issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 2nd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 3.80%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the second quarter worth $31,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 94.0% in the third quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 163 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at $51,000. Finally, Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at $60,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

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.