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 EPS guidance of 22.640-24.520 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS 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.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 2.3%

UHS traded up $4.61 on Friday, hitting $208.94. The company had a trading volume of 781,830 shares, compared to its average volume of 745,379. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $216.32 and its 200 day moving average price is $210.44. Universal Health Services has a 1 year low of $152.33 and a 1 year high of $246.32. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The firm has a market cap of $13.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.03, a PEG ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.26.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced 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). Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.57% and a return on equity of 19.84%. The company had revenue of $4.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.50 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $4.92 earnings per share. Universal Health Services’s revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2026 guidance at 22.640-24.520 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 2nd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is 3.80%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Barclays raised their price target on Universal Health Services from $262.00 to $268.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday. Cantor Fitzgerald decreased their target price on Universal Health Services from $250.00 to $229.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, January 15th. One 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 issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $233.13.

Key Stories Impacting Universal Health Services

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

• Positive Sentiment: UHS delivered meaningful year‑over‑year profitability gains (net income up ~30%; operating margin ~11.5%), supporting the company’s cash generation and earnings outlook. UHS posts 11.5% operating margin in 2025 as net income jumps 30%
• Positive Sentiment: Management set FY‑2026 revenue guidance of $18.4–18.8B and reiterated EPS guidance (22.64–24.52), while outlining acceleration in AI initiatives and outpatient expansion — a growth/efficiency narrative that can support higher multiple over time. UHS Announces Financial Results and 2026 Forecast
• Positive Sentiment: Barclays raised its price target to $268 and kept an Overweight rating, signaling bull-case investor support and adding upside potential versus current levels. Barclays PT raise (Benzinga)
• Neutral Sentiment: Q4 results were mixed: EPS $5.88 (vs. $5.92 est.) and revenue $4.49B (vs. $4.50B est.) — a small miss but with revenue +9.1% YoY. Guidance gives revenue upside vs. consensus but an EPS range whose midpoint is close to street estimates. Reuters: UHS misses quarterly profit estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: The full earnings‑call transcript and analyst commentary are available for deeper read of admissions trends, margin drivers and 2026 execution plans. Earnings call transcript (Seeking Alpha)
• Negative Sentiment: Cantor Fitzgerald cut its target from $250 to $229 and moved to a Neutral rating, introducing downside risk versus prior expectations. Cantor Fitzgerald PT cut (Benzinga)
• Negative Sentiment: UHS warned of an expected ~$35M earnings headwind from California’s psychiatric staffing mandate, a tangible regulatory cost that will pressure near‑term margins. Becker’s: $35M earnings hit
• Negative Sentiment: Some outlets highlighted heavy intraday selling and valuation sensitivity given UHS’s S&P‑500 membership and recent earnings miss — volatility risk remains for near‑term traders. Yahoo Finance: Why UHS shares are getting obliterated

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $508,000. Corient Private Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 348.7% in the 4th quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 162,985 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $35,534,000 after purchasing an additional 126,662 shares in the last quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $5,232,000. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 29.8% in the 4th quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 15,160 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $3,305,000 after buying an additional 3,482 shares during the period. Finally, First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 2.2% in the fourth quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 56,177 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $12,248,000 after buying an additional 1,217 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

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.