Barclays Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Stock

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) had its target price raised by Barclays from $262.00 to $268.00 in a report released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an “overweight” rating on the health services provider’s stock. Barclays‘s target price would suggest a potential upside of 28.50% from the company’s current price.

Several other research firms also recently issued reports on UHS. UBS Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Guggenheim lifted their target price 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. Morgan Stanley set a $233.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Raymond James Financial set a $270.00 target price on Universal Health Services and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $234.53.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Universal Health Services stock traded down $22.17 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $208.56. The company had a trading volume of 262,824 shares, compared to its average volume of 702,379. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $216.73 and its 200-day simple moving average is $210.48. Universal Health Services has a 1 year low of $152.33 and a 1 year high of $246.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 0.96. The company has a market capitalization of $13.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.91, a P/E/G ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.26.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The health services provider reported $5.88 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.92 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $4.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.50 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.47% and a net margin of 8.09%.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. On average, equities analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Stephens Inc. AR boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 4.2% in the 3rd quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 1,250 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $256,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated now owns 3,512 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $718,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares during the period. Blair William & Co. IL lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 4.1% during the 4th quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 1,390 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $303,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.3% in the third quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,794 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $367,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Avanza Fonder AB grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 6.1% in the fourth quarter. Avanza Fonder AB now owns 1,027 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $224,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Universal Health Services News

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

• Positive Sentiment: UHS guided to higher FY‑2026 revenue and solid EPS range (22.640–24.520) and signaled continued earnings growth for 2026, which underpins the company’s medium‑term outlook. Universal Health Services forecasts more revenue, earnings gains for 2026
• Positive Sentiment: UHS reported improved profitability in 2025 — operating margin rose to 11.5% and net income jumped ~30% year‑over‑year — suggesting better operational leverage that supports margins and cash flow. UHS posts 11.5% operating margin in 2025 as net income jumps 30%
• Positive Sentiment: The company press release highlights a meaningful increase in reported net income and reiterates the FY‑2026 forecast, offering management’s direct view on upcoming performance. UHS announces financial results and 2026 forecast
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts and commentary are parsing UHS’s valuation and index implications — how the stock’s recent pressure could affect its S&P 500 weighting and investor perception is under discussion, but this is more macro/structural than immediate fundamental news. Valuation after pressure now matters to S&P 500
• Neutral Sentiment: A data‑driven review compares UHS’s Q4 metrics vs. estimates and prior year figures, useful for investors wanting detail on volumes, margins and adjustments but not adding new directional news. Q4 earnings: key metrics versus estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: An analysis of UHS’s expansion plans frames long‑term growth vs. execution risk — relevant for longer‑term investors but less likely to move the stock intraday. Expansion tests long term growth and risk balance
• Negative Sentiment: UHS missed Q4 consensus: EPS of $5.88 vs. $5.92 expected and revenue $4.49B vs. $4.50B expected — small misses that drove short‑term selling pressure. UHS misses Q4 sales expectations
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks notes UHS lagged consensus on Q4 EPS (miss by $0.04), reinforcing the market reaction to the quarter’s shortfall versus expectations. UHS lags Q4 earnings estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Reuters reports the miss was driven by lower medical‑care demand and admissions — a demand‑side signal that could pressure near‑term volume recovery expectations. UHS misses quarterly profit estimates on lower medical care demand

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.