Barclays Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Stock

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) had its price target upped by stock analysts at Barclays from $262.00 to $268.00 in a report released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an “overweight” rating on the health services provider’s stock. Barclays‘s price target points to a potential upside of 30.26% from the stock’s current price.

Several other research analysts have also recently commented on UHS. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Monday, December 29th. UBS Group reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. TD Cowen reduced their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $251.00 to $245.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $235.00 price target (down from $259.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. One equities research 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 given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $233.86.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.7%

NYSE UHS opened at $205.74 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.03. The firm has a market cap of $12.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.89, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.26. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $215.88 and a 200-day simple moving average of $210.67. Universal Health Services has a one year low of $152.33 and a one year high of $246.32.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released 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). The business had revenue of $4.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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 quarterly revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $4.92 earnings per share. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2026 guidance at 22.640-24.520 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Elyxium Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Founders Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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

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.