Zacks Research Analysts Boost Earnings Estimates for UHS

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) – Analysts at Zacks Research raised their Q1 2026 EPS estimates for shares of Universal Health Services in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, March 11th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the health services provider will earn $5.27 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $5.19. Zacks Research has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Universal Health Services’ current full-year earnings is $15.92 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Universal Health Services’ Q2 2026 earnings at $5.77 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $5.72 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $6.34 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $23.11 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $5.84 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $6.07 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $6.25 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $6.57 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $24.74 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $26.80 EPS.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The health services provider reported $5.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.92 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.65% and a net margin of 8.57%.The business had revenue of $4.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.50 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $4.92 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2026 guidance at 22.640-24.520 EPS.

UHS has been the topic of several other reports. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on Universal Health Services from $235.00 to $212.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 2nd. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $262.00 to $268.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 26th. Cantor Fitzgerald cut their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $250.00 to $229.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 27th. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, Guggenheim raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $253.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $232.21.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 2.3%

Shares of UHS opened at $190.54 on Thursday. Universal Health Services has a one year low of $152.33 and a one year high of $246.32. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $210.56 and a 200 day moving average price of $211.58. 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 $11.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.23, a P/E/G ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.26.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Pzena Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 310.2% in the third quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 1,607,029 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $328,541,000 after purchasing an additional 1,215,286 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth approximately $199,334,000. Nomura Holdings Inc. grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 100.6% in the 2nd quarter. Nomura Holdings Inc. now owns 2,560 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $464,000 after buying an additional 426,211 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its position in Universal Health Services by 59.5% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 871,377 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $189,978,000 after acquiring an additional 325,162 shares during the period. Finally, Holocene Advisors LP increased its position in Universal Health Services by 262.4% in the 3rd quarter. Holocene Advisors LP now owns 358,885 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $73,370,000 after acquiring an additional 259,861 shares during the period. Institutional investors 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 agreed to acquire Talkspace for $5.25/share (~$835M enterprise value), expanding its digital behavioral‑health footprint and adding teletherapy capabilities that can boost revenue mix and referral channels; the deal is being financed with borrowings under UHS’s revolver (modest size relative to UHS’s market cap). Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) Announces Agreement to Acquire Talkspace (TALK) for $5.25 Per Share
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised several near‑term and FY2026 EPS estimates (including Q1 2026, Q3 2026, Q4 2026 and FY2026), signaling slightly stronger near‑term earnings momentum than prior forecasts—supportive for near‑term sentiment despite the analyst holding a “Hold” rating. MarketBeat UHS coverage (Zacks note)
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks published FY2028 estimates (FY2028 EPS ~ $26.80) and refreshed a slate of multi‑year forecasts; these provide longer‑term modeling inputs but no rating change, so impact is informational. MarketBeat UHS coverage (FY2028 estimate)
• Neutral Sentiment: UHS also attracted attention in S&P 500 healthcare coverage pieces today (coverage/flow can amplify intraday moves but doesn’t change fundamentals). Universal Health (NYSE:UHS) Gains Attention In S&P 500 Today Healthcare
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks trimmed several 2027 quarter and full‑year EPS estimates (Q2–Q4 2027 and FY2027 were lowered modestly), which could temper medium‑term sentiment and suggests some caution in later‑year growth expectations. MarketBeat UHS coverage (Zacks estimate cuts)

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.