Universal Health Services Bolsa (NYSE: UHS)

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Bolsa

Universal Health Services

Universal Health Servs

Universal Health Services Inc owns and operates acute care hospitals, behavior health centers, surgical hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and radiation oncology centers. The firm operates in two segments: Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Services. The company generates the majority of its revenue from the Acute Care Hospital Services segment. The Acute Care Hospital Services segment includes the firm's acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals, and surgery and oncology centers.

Universal Health Services, Inc. Common Stock

Universal Health Services Inc

Universal Health Services's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>) short percent of float has fallen 4.12% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 2.68 million shares sold short, which is 6.51% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.78 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Universal Health Services Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745420424_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Universal Health Services has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Universal Health Services's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Universal Health Services's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 4.82%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Trading Ideas

Looking Into Universal Health Services's Recent Short Interest

Stocks in the U.S. were trading sharply lower by midday Monday, while gold and Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) surged in tandem, as a renewed political storm surrounding Federal Reserve independence shook confidence in the U.S. dollar and triggered a broad-based risk-off <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44899280/are-investors-selling-us-treasuries-as-trump-attacks-powell-heres-what-latest-etf-flows-tell-you">mood on U.S. assets.</a>
The market opened the post-Easter trading week with deep losses, after President Donald Trump took to Truth Social demanding immediate rate cuts and blasting Fed Chair Jerome Powell as "Mr. Too Late," accusing him of past political bias and inflation misjudgment. 
Trump wrote that there's "virtually no inflation" and warned of an economic slowdown unless Powell acts "NOW."
The latest barrage reignited fears that central bank independence may be under direct threat, just days after reports emerged that the Trump administration is weighing Powell's removal ahead of his scheduled 2026 term expiration.
The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) fell as much as 1%, marking its lowest level since early 2022, as the greenback weakened against a basket of major currencies including the Japanese yen, euro and Swiss franc. 
The selloff has intensified speculation that foreign investors may accelerate the repatriation of capital from U.S. assets amid mounting political and monetary instability.
The S&amp;P 500 dropped 2.8% by midday, with the Nasdaq 100 falling 3%, led lower by steep losses in megacap tech and financials. Every major sector was in the red, with 490 of the 500 S&amp;P 500 stocks trading lower.
In another break from historical norms, U.S. Treasury yields climbed even as equities tanked and volatility spiked. The 30-year yield rose 7 basis points to 4.87%, signaling investor selling of government debt. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) jumped 15%. 
Gold-linked equities were the few bright spots in an otherwise brutal session. Gold prices – as tracked by the SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>) – surged 2.6% to $3,410 per ounce, pushing the year-to-date gain to nearly 30%—on track for the metal's best annual performance since 2007. 
The move extends gold's stunning 2-month rally, now nearing 20%, amid persistent demand for safe-haven assets.
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) gained 3.5% to trade at $88,274, echoing gold's momentum as investors seek alternatives to fiat currencies.
Monday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>Chg (%)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>1,837.81</td>
<td>-2.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>38,097.81</td>
<td>-2.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,135.83</td>
<td>-2.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>17,727.70</td>
<td colspan="2">-3.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 12:20 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) fell 2.8% up to $511.49.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) fell 2.7% to $380.65.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)&nbsp;tumbled 3% to $430.76.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) fell 2.3% to $182.28.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Consumer Staples&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLP#NYSE">XLP</a>) outperformed, yet falling 1.4%; the&nbsp;Consumer Discretionary&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLY#NYSE">XLY</a>) lagged, down 3.5%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">S&amp;P 500&#8217;s Top Performers On Monday</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company Name</th>
<th>% Change</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIS#NYSE">FIS</a>)</td>
<td>3.81%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Discover Financial Services (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DFS#NYSE">DFS</a>)</td>
<td>2.89%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>)</td>
<td>1.75%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>)</td>
<td>1.02%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ulta Beauty, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ULTA#NASDAQ">ULTA</a>)</td>
<td>0.86%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">S&amp;P 500&#8217;s Worst Performers On Monday</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company Name</th>
<th>% Change</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>)</td>
<td>-10.31%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vistra Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VST#NYSE">VST</a>)</td>
<td>-8.34%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Constellation Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CEG#NASDAQ">CEG</a>)</td>
<td>-8.23%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Humana Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HUM#NYSE">HUM</a>)</td>
<td>-7.48%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BX#NYSE">BX</a>)</td>
<td>-7.42%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Read now: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44886209/if-you-had-bet-on-gold-after-the-1971-nixon-shock-youd-have-beaten-the-sp-500-unless-you-did-this-one-thing">If You Had Bet On Gold After The 1971 Nixon Shock, You&#8217;d Have Beaten The S&amp;P 500 — Unless You Did This One Thing</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: FOTOGRIN/Shutterstock

Government

Large Cap

Regulations

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Econ #s

Federal Reserve

ETFs

$BTC

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

MRNA

NFLX

ULTA

Select Sector SPDR-Consumer Discretionary

Wall Street Sinks, Dollar Slides As Trump Ramps Up Fed Attacks: What's Driving Markets Monday?

Baird analyst Michael Ha downgrades Universal Health Services (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>) from Outperform to Neutral and lowers the price target from $274 to $224.

News

Downgrades

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

Baird Downgrades Universal Health Services to Neutral, Lowers Price Target to $224

Guggenheim analyst Jason Cassorla initiates coverage on Universal Health Services (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>) with a Buy rating and announces Price Target of $208.

Initiation

Guggenheim Initiates Coverage On Universal Health Services with Buy Rating, Announces Price Target of $208

In the latest quarter, 5 analysts provided ratings for Universal Health Services (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>), showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
The table below provides a snapshot of their recent ratings, showcasing how sentiments have evolved over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts have recently evaluated Universal Health Services and provided 12-month price targets. The average target is $221.4, accompanied by a high estimate of $249.00 and a low estimate of $200.00. Experiencing a 3.84% decline, the current average is now lower than the previous average price target of $230.25. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1742990554_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Breaking Down Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Examination</h2>
An in-depth analysis of recent analyst actions unveils how financial experts perceive Universal Health Services. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Craig Hettenbach</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stephen Baxter</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$225.00</td>
<td>$230.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Scott Fidel</td>
<td>Stephens &amp; Co.</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$223.00</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Raj Kumar</td>
<td>Stephens &amp; Co.</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Mok</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$249.00</td>
<td>$271.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Universal Health Services. This information offers a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Gaining insights, analysts provide qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Universal Health Services compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts gauge the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of Universal Health Services's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Navigating through these analyst evaluations alongside other financial indicators can contribute to a holistic understanding of Universal Health Services's market standing. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UHS/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on Universal Health Services analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Unveiling the Story Behind Universal Health Services</h2>
Universal Health Services Inc owns and operates acute care hospitals, behavior health centers, surgical hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and radiation oncology centers. The firm operates in two segments: Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Services. The company generates the majority of its revenue from the Acute Care Hospital Services segment. The Acute Care Hospital Services segment includes the firm's acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals, and surgery and oncology centers.
<h3>Universal Health Services's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Above industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization emphasizes a noteworthy size, indicative of a strong market presence.
Revenue Growth: Universal Health Services displayed positive results in 3 months. As of 31 December, 2024, the company achieved a solid revenue growth rate of approximately 11.08%. This indicates a notable increase in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Health Care sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers.
Net Margin: Universal Health Services's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 8.08%. This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 5.01%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): Universal Health Services's ROA excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 2.31%. This signifies efficient management of assets and strong financial health.
Debt Management: With a below-average debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, Universal Health Services adopts a prudent financial strategy, indicating a balanced approach to debt management.
<h2>What Are Analyst Ratings?</h2>
Analysts work in banking and financial systems and typically specialize in reporting for stocks or defined sectors. Analysts may attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter.
Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Breaking Down Universal Health Services: 5 Analysts Share Their Views

Morgan Stanley analyst Craig Hettenbach initiates coverage on Universal Health Services (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>) with a Equal-Weight rating and announces Price Target of $200.

Morgan Stanley Initiates Coverage On Universal Health Services with Equal-Weight Rating, Announces Price Target of $200

Wells Fargo analyst Stephen Baxter maintains Universal Health Services (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $230 to $225.

Wells Fargo Maintains Overweight on Universal Health Services, Lowers Price Target to $225

4 analysts have shared their evaluations of Universal Health Servs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>) during the recent three months, expressing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
In the table below, you'll find a summary of their recent ratings, revealing the shifting sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the previous months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The 12-month price targets assessed by analysts reveal further insights, featuring an average target of $227.0, a high estimate of $249.00, and a low estimate of $210.00. This current average has decreased by 1.45% from the previous average price target of $230.33. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740776419_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis</h2>
A comprehensive examination of how financial experts perceive Universal Health Servs is derived from recent analyst actions. The following is a detailed summary of key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Scott Fidel</td>
<td>Stephens &amp; Co.</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$223.00</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Raj Kumar</td>
<td>Stephens &amp; Co.</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Mok</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$249.00</td>
<td>$271.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Benjamin Rossi</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$226.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: In response to dynamic market conditions and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their reaction to recent developments related to Universal Health Servs. This insight gives a snapshot of analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analysts assign qualitative assessments to stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey the analysts' expectations for the relative performance of Universal Health Servs compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Understanding forecasts, analysts offer estimates for Universal Health Servs's future value. Examining the current and prior targets provides insight into analysts' changing expectations.</li>
</ul>
Analyzing these analyst evaluations alongside relevant financial metrics can provide a comprehensive view of Universal Health Servs's market position. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UHS/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on Universal Health Servs analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Discovering Universal Health Servs: A Closer Look</h2>
Universal Health Services Inc owns and operates acute care hospitals, behavior health centers, surgical hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and radiation oncology centers. The firm operates in two key segments: Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Services. The Acute Care Hospital Services segment includes the firm's acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals, and surgery and oncology centers.
<h3>Universal Health Servs: A Financial Overview</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization is above the industry average, indicating that it is relatively larger in size compared to peers. This may suggest a higher level of investor confidence and market recognition.
Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, Universal Health Servs showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 11.08% as of 31 December, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company surpassed expectations with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Health Care sector.
Net Margin: Universal Health Servs's net margin is impressive, surpassing industry averages. With a net margin of 8.08%, the company demonstrates strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 5.01%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 2.31%, the company showcases effective utilization of assets.
Debt Management: Universal Health Servs's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 0.74.
<h2>The Significance of Analyst Ratings Explained</h2>
Analyst ratings serve as essential indicators of stock performance, provided by experts in banking and financial systems. These specialists diligently analyze company financial statements, participate in conference calls, and engage with insiders to generate quarterly ratings for individual stocks.
Analysts may enhance their evaluations by incorporating forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, delivering additional guidance to investors. It is vital to acknowledge that, although experts in stocks and sectors, analysts are human and express their opinions when providing insights.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Where Universal Health Servs Stands With Analysts

Stephens &amp; Co. analyst Scott Fidel maintains Universal Health Servs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>) with a Equal-Weight and raises the price target from $210 to $223.

Stephens & Co. Maintains Equal-Weight on Universal Health Servs, Raises Price Target to $223

Stephens &amp; Co. analyst Raj Kumar reiterates Universal Health Servs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>) with a Equal-Weight and maintains $210 price target.

Reiteration

Stephens & Co. Reiterates Equal-Weight on Universal Health Servs, Maintains $210 Price Target

WIIM

Universal Health Services shares are trading higher after the company reported better-than-expected Q4 financial results.

Barclays analyst Andrew Mok maintains Universal Health Servs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $271 to $249.

Barclays Maintains Overweight on Universal Health Servs, Lowers Price Target to $249

Universal Health Servs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $4.92 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $4.18 by 17.7 percent. This is a 57.19 percent increase over earnings of $3.13 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $4.114 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $4.010 billion by 2.59 percent. This is a 11.07 percent increase over sales of $3.704 billion the same period last year.

Earnings

Earnings Beats

Universal Health Servs Q4 2024 Adj. EPS $4.92 Beats $4.18 Estimate, Sales $4.114B Beat $4.010B Estimate

streetTRACKS Dow Jones U.S. Large Cap Value Index Fund

Shares of healthcare stocks are trading lower after President Trump signed an executive order on healthcare price transparency.

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Earnings Scheduled For February 26, 2025

A nationwide lockout of federal health payment systems, reportedly due to an &#8220;outage&#8221;, has led to widespread criticism of the White House. The lockout affected several organizations and agencies, including state Medicaid programs, federally funded Head Start early education programs, and community health centers.
What Happened: The White House attributed the lockout to an &#8220;outage.&#8221; White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X that the administration is &#8220;aware&#8221; of the Medicaid website not functioning.
&#8220;We have confirmed no payments have been affected — they are still being processed and sent,&#8221; said Leavitt.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The White House is aware of the Medicaid website portal outage. We have confirmed no payments have been affected — they are still being processed and sent. We expect the portal will be back online shortly.
&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1884329868030271759?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The lockout prevented multiple state Medicaid programs from accessing their payment systems. However, operations resumed later the same day, according to a CBS News <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/medicaid-head-start-health-centers-trump-funding-freeze/">report</a>. The incident coincided with President Donald Trump&#8217;s controversial decision to freeze spending across the federal government, leading to heightened criticism from state governments, nonprofits, and lawmakers.
The entities affected were unable to access the Payment Management Services web portal, run by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which processes billions of dollars in payments annually. 
The lockout and the ongoing communication &#8220;pause&#8221; imposed by the Trump administration at HHS led to a flurry of requests for comment from various stakeholders, including the National Association of Medicaid Directors and several lawmakers.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/43293219/teslas-30k-ev-risks-being-a-nothing-burger-says-gary-black-warns-of-cannibalization-without-a-new-compact-design">Tesla&#8217;s $30K EV Risks Being A &#8216;Nothing Burger,&#8217; Says Gary Black—Warns Of Cannibalization Without A New Compact Design</a>
Why It Matters: The lockout occurred amidst the administration&#8217;s decision to freeze spending across the federal government, a move that has been challenged legally. A federal judge issued a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43292056/judge-blocks-trumps-order-to-freeze-federal-grant-money">temporary stay on the funding freeze</a>, halting the move until further arguments can be heard.
The freeze put<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43290381/trumps-federal-spending-freeze-puts-3-trillion-in-limbo-threatens-industries-like-clean-energy-defense-healthcare"> $3 trillion in funding under scrutiny</a>. This directive required all federal agencies to halt disbursements while programs were reviewed for alignment with Trump&#8217;s policy priorities.
The move is expected to hit sectors such as healthcare, education, clean energy and others. Stocks of clean energy companies like Sunnova Energy International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOVA#NYSE">NOVA</a>). and Sunrun Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RUN#NASDAQ">RUN</a>) suffered a downturn. Shares of healthcare-sector firms like Universal Health Services Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>) and Tenet Healthcare Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/THC#NYSE">THC</a>) also were in the red on Tuesday.
Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock.com
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Health Care

Politics

General

NOVA

Trump White House Blames 'Outage' For Medicaid Website Lockout: 'We Have Confirmed No Payments Have Been Affected'

A federal judge in the District of Columbia on Tuesday afternoon temporarily blocked an executive order given by President Donald Trump that imposed a freeze of all federal grants and loans, putting $3 trillion in funding in jeopardy and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43290381/trumps-federal-spending-freeze-puts-3-trillion-in-limbo-threatens-industries-like-clean-energy-defense-healthcare">entire industries on edge.&nbsp;</a>
The Details: According to a New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/us/politics/trump-funding-freeze-blocked.html">report</a>, Judge Loren AliKhan blocked the order late Tuesday afternoon in response to a lawsuit filed by Democracy Forward. The lawsuit argued the directive violated the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedures Act governing the issuance of executive orders. 
Judge AliKhan said she will issue a more permanent decision on Feb. 3 
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/01/43106379/trump-reverses-bidens-ai-policies-on-day-1-what-it-means-for-tech-giants-nvidia-amd-alphabet">Trump Reverses Biden&#8217;s AI Policies On Day 1: What It Means For Tech Giants Nvidia, AMD, Alphabet&nbsp;</a>
Skye Perryman, Democracy Forward's president and chief executive, commented on the judge's decision in a statement.&nbsp;
"We are grateful for this administrative stay to allow our clients time to sort through the chaos created by the Trump administration's hasty and ill-advised actions," Perryman said, per the New York Times. 
Trump's directive, issued Monday by the Office of Management and Budget, required federal agencies to halt disbursements while programs were reviewed for alignment with Trump administration policies and was slated to go into effect on Tuesday at 5 p.m. ET.&nbsp;
But, early Tuesday, state Medicaid programs reported the federal reimbursement portals had been locked. State officials said funding for community health centers, food for families, housing assistance, preschools and disaster relief was in limbo.
According to the New York Times, the White House and OMB said on Tuesday afternoon the funding freeze did "not apply across-the-board" and affected programs on D.E.I. efforts and funding for organizations "that undermine the national interest."
Stocks To Watch: It remains unclear exactly which industries could be affected by Trump's order or if the judge will elect to block it permanently on Feb 3.&nbsp;
However, Medicaid funding had reportedly been stopped at least temporarily. HCA Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HCA#NYSE">HCA</a>) and Universal Health Services Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>) stocks fell on Tuesday. 
Large defense contractors like RTX Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>) and Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>) also face a growing degree of uncertainty regarding government funding and contracts.
Green industries including solar energy could also be on the chopping block for federal funding due to Trump administration policies. Sunnova Energy International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOVA#NYSE">NOVA</a>) dropped 12% Tuesday and Sunrun, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RUN#NASDAQ">RUN</a>) fell 9.2% amid the uncertainty on future policy changes. 
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Photo: Shutterstock

Legal

Movers

Judge Blocks Trump's Order To Freeze Federal Grant Money

The White House has ordered a temporary freeze on all federal grants and loans, putting $3 trillion in funding under scrutiny and setting the stage for a legal and political showdown over the congressional power of the purse that could heavily impact a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets">wide range of industries.</a>
The directive, issued Monday by the Office of Management and Budget and received by several media outlets, requires all federal agencies to halt disbursements while programs are reviewed for alignment with President Donald Trump's policy priorities.
This includes halting new awards, existing payment and funding for projects until reviewed.
The exact financial impact of the order remains uncertain. Budget experts cited <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/01/28/trump-spending-freeze-upends-washington-triggering-legal-threats-delays/">by the Washington Post </a>estimate at least tens of billions of dollars are at stake, though the White House directive suggests the total could be significantly higher.
Of the almost $10 trillion spent by the federal government in fiscal 2024, more than $3 trillion was federal financial assistance, Matthew Vaeth, acting director at the OMB, said in the memorandum.
&#8220;Financial assistance should be dedicated to advancing Administration priorities,&#8221; Vaeth said, adding that &#8220;the use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve.&#8221;
The White House said that Social Security and Medicare remain untouched. The sweeping pause threatens funding for universities, nonprofits, contractors and private companies that depend on federal assistance.
&#8220;Nothing in this memo should be construed to impact Medicare or Social Security benefits,&#8221; the memo said. 
The immediate focus will be on how agencies handle exemptions. The OMB memo allows federal departments to request case-by-case approvals, which means some funding may still flow, but the process is likely to be slow and politically charged.
Federal agencies have until Feb. 10, 2025, to provide OMB with detailed reports outlining which programs, projects, and activities are affected by the funding pause.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Legal, Political Showdown Over Federal Funds </h3>
The move is triggering legal challenges from nonprofits and Democratic-led states.
Within hours of the announcement, lawsuits were filed in federal courts in New York, Illinois and Oregon, arguing that Trump does not have the authority to withhold congressionally approved spending.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was among the first to push back, saying Congress-approved investments are legally mandated and asserting the president lacks the authority to override the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which restricts unilateral executive control over federal funds.
Trump has long argued that the 1974 law is unconstitutional, stating that past presidents had far more discretion over spending before its passage.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Which Industries Could Face Trouble?</h3>
Some of the hardest-hit sectors could include clean energy, defense, health care and education, where federal dollars have played a crucial role in driving investment and growth in recent years.
Trump's OMB memo explicitly targeted climate initiatives and green energy programs. Shares of solar and renewable energy companies were among the hardest hit following the federal funding freeze.
The Invesco Solar ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TAN#NYSE">TAN</a>) and the Invesco Wilderhill Clean Energy ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PBW#NYSE">PBW</a>) fell by 2% and 1.3%, respectively, on Tuesday. 
Sunnova Energy International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOVA#NYSE">NOVA</a>) dropped 12%, Sunrun Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RUN#NASDAQ">RUN</a>) fell 9.2% and SolarEdge Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SEDG#NASDAQ">SEDG</a>) declined 5%. 
Defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>), RTX Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>) and Northrop Grumman (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>) may also see rising uncertainty. While military spending is unlikely to be cut outright, several defense contractors rely on federal grants for research and development. 
The impact on health care remains unclear. While Medicare is shielded, Medicaid funding — which supports hospitals, managed care providers and pharmaceutical companies — could be at risk.
HCA Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HCA#NYSE">HCA</a>) and Universal Health Services Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>) fell by 1% and 1.4%, respectively, while Tenet Healthcare Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/THC#NYSE">THC</a>) showed resilience Tuesday. 
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Photo via Shutterstock.

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Trump's Federal Spending Freeze Puts $3 Trillion In Limbo, Threatens Industries Like Clean Energy, Defense, Health Care

JP Morgan analyst Benjamin Rossi assumes Universal Health Servs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UHS#NYSE">UHS</a>) with a Neutral rating and announces Price Target of $226.

JP Morgan Assumes Universal Health Servs at Neutral, Announces Price Target of $226

Press Releases

UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC. ANNOUNCES 2024 THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS

UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC. TO PRESENT AT THE 2024 WOLFE RESEARCH HEALTHCARE CONFERENCE

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UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC.ANNOUNCES DIVIDEND

UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC. ANNOUNCES DATE FOR 2024 FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR EARNINGS RELEASE AND CONFERENCE CALL

UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC. ANNOUNCES DIVIDEND

UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC. TO PRESENT AT MARCH HEALTHCARE CONFERENCES

UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC. ANNOUNCES 2024 FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR FINANCIAL RESULTS AND 2025 OPERATING RESULTS FORECAST

UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC. TO PRESENT AT KEYBANC CAPITAL MARKETS VIRTUAL HEALTHCARE FORUM

UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC. ANNOUNCES DATE FOR FIRST QUARTER 2025 EARNINGS RELEASE AND CONFERENCE CALL

Engine Capital Nominates Two Highly Qualified and Independent Candidates for Election to Lyft's Board of Directors at the 2025 Annual Meeting

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