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

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

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $262.00 to $268.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday. Raymond James Financial set a $270.00 price objective on Universal Health Services and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on Universal Health Services from $251.00 to $245.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Guggenheim boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $253.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $233.86.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

UHS stock opened at $205.74 on Friday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $215.88 and its 200 day moving average price is $211.15. Universal Health Services has a 12-month low of $152.33 and a 12-month high of $246.32. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The company has a market capitalization of $12.85 billion, a PE ratio of 8.89, a P/E/G ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 1.26.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The health services provider reported $5.88 EPS 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 analysts’ expectations of $4.50 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.57% and a return on equity of 19.65%. The business’s revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $4.92 earnings per share. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2026 guidance at 22.640-24.520 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

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

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

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

Universal Health Services News Roundup

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

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.