Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Price Target Lowered to $229.00 at Cantor Fitzgerald

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) had its price objective trimmed by Cantor Fitzgerald from $250.00 to $229.00 in a report issued on Friday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the health services provider’s stock.

UHS has been the topic of several other research reports. Barclays increased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $262.00 to $268.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday. Guggenheim raised their price target 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. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Raymond James Financial set a $270.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $233.86.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

UHS stock traded up $1.41 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $205.74. 1,664,345 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 712,073. Universal Health Services has a 1-year low of $152.33 and a 1-year high of $246.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.85 billion, a PE ratio of 8.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.26. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $215.88 and a 200-day simple moving average of $210.67. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.50 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.84% and a net margin of 8.57%.Universal Health Services’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $4.92 EPS. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2026 guidance at 22.640-24.520 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 2nd. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is currently 3.46%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of UHS. Elyxium Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 320.0% during the third quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 126 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Founders Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Universal Health Services

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

• Positive Sentiment: UHS reiterated an FY‑2026 revenue target up to $18.8B and said it will accelerate investments in AI and outpatient expansion — strategic growth initiatives that support longer‑term revenue/earnings upside. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Barclays raised its price target to $268 and kept an overweight rating, indicating at least one major shop sees meaningful upside from current levels. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: UHS reported strong operating performance in 2025 (double‑digit margins and higher net income) and management is forecasting additional revenue and earnings gains in 2026 — supportive of valuation over time. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: UHS provided FY‑2026 EPS guidance of $22.64–$24.52 (consensus ~ $23.44) and revenue guidance of $18.4–$18.8B (slightly above consensus), a mixed signal: upside on revenue but a wide EPS band that leaves near‑term expectations ambiguous. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Cantor Fitzgerald lowered its price target to $229 and moved to a neutral rating — a more cautious stance that partly offsets Barclays’ bullish view. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: The full Q4 earnings call transcript and analyst notes are now public, providing more detail for investors to re‑rate guidance assumptions and margin drivers. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 EPS came in at $5.88 vs. the $5.92 consensus — management cited softer admissions (lower medical care demand) and rising costs, which pressured the quarter despite 9.1% revenue growth. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: UHS warned of an approximate $35M earnings hit tied to a new California psychiatric staffing mandate — a tangible near‑term cost that will weigh on margins until absorbed. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Coverage and headlines emphasized the earnings miss and S&P500 pressure, prompting negative headlines and short‑term selling in some outlets. Article Title

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.