KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Feb. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE: UHS) announced today that it will report results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2025, after the market closes on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. There will be a conference call for investors and analysts at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, February 26, 2026. A live webcast of the call will be available on the company's website at www.uhs.com. To participate via telephone, please register in advance at this ...

Growth stocks are attractive to many investors, as above-average financial growth helps these stocks easily grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.In addition to volatility, these stocks carry above-average risk by their very nature. Also, one could end up losing from a stock whose growth story is actually over or nearing its end.However, the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores sy ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of reassessing investment portfolios in light of ongoing market influences such as AI optimism, Federal Reserve policies, and geopolitical uncertainties [1] Sales Growth as an Indicator - Sales growth is highlighted as a more reliable metric for evaluating stocks compared to earnings, as it reflects real demand for products and services [2][3] - Companies with consistent top-line expansion are likely gaining market share and expanding their customer base, which can indicate future earnings potential [3] Contextual Importance of Sales Figures - It is crucial to benchmark sales growth against peers and industry cycles to differentiate between sustainable growth and temporary spikes [4] - Companies that can maintain growth across various conditions tend to generate more reliable cash flows, allowing for reinvestment and strategic initiatives [4] Stock Selection Criteria - Stocks are shortlisted based on criteria including 5-Year Historical Sales Growth greater than industry average and Cash Flow exceeding $500 million [5] - Additional metrics for stock selection include a Price-to-Sales (P/S) Ratio lower than the industry average, positive sales estimate revisions, operating margin above 5%, and Return on Equity (ROE) greater than 5% [6][7][8] Specific Company Insights - Universal Health Services (UHS) is expected to achieve a sales growth rate of 5.2% in 2026 and currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 [9][10][11] - Pinnacle West Capital (PNW) is forecasted to have a sales growth rate of 4.6% in 2026, also holding a Zacks Rank of 2 [11] - Methanex Corporation (MEOH) is projected to see a sales increase of 9.8% in 2026 and carries a Zacks Rank of 2 [12]

Key Takeaways CNX, GPN, HRMY, and UHS meet strict value criteria, including low P/CF and solid financial health.Each company is projected to grow both sales and EPS in the current financial year.All four stocks carry a Value Score of A and show consistent positive earnings surprises.The U.S. stock market remained subdued yesterday. While the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.11% (+55.96 points) to 49,071.56, the broader market faced downside pressure. The S&P 500 slipped 0.13% to 6,969.01, while the tec ...

Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) is a leading healthcare services company that owns and operates a broad network of acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, outpatient centers and related healthcare services. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, UHS provides a wide range of medical and psychiatric care, aiming to deliver high-quality patient services through its Acute Care Hospital and Behavioral Health Care segments. UHS’ market cap is around $12.7 billion. It is expected to a ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights Universal Health Services (UHS) as a strong growth stock, supported by its favorable Growth Score and Zacks Rank, indicating solid investment potential for growth investors [2][11]. Earnings Growth - Universal Health Services has a historical EPS growth rate of 10.9%, with projected EPS growth of 7.8% this year, significantly outperforming the industry average of -1.6% [5][4]. Asset Utilization Ratio - The company has an asset utilization ratio (sales-to-total-assets) of 1.14, indicating it generates $1.14 in sales for every dollar in assets, compared to the industry average of 0.82, showcasing superior efficiency [7][6]. Sales Growth - UHS is expected to achieve a sales growth of 5.2% this year, which is higher than the industry average of 4.2%, reflecting strong sales performance [8]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - The current-year earnings estimates for Universal Health Services have been revised upward, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by 0.4% over the past month, indicating positive momentum [9]. Overall Assessment - With a Zacks Rank of 2 and a Growth Score of B, Universal Health Services is positioned as a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors [11].

After dropping more than 6% on Wednesday, Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) is trading marginally higher on Thursday. The drop came after Bank of America said it remains cautious on hospitals.  • What’s driving UHS up?Universal Health is the Stock of the Day. It is both oversold and at support; these could be bullish dynamics that could suggest a move higher.Many trading strategies and methods are built around the concept of reversion to the mean. If something goes too far in one direction, there i ...

Core Viewpoint - The article summarizes significant analyst rating changes that could impact market trends, highlighting upgrades, downgrades, and new coverage ratings for various companies [1][6]. Upgrades - Barclays upgraded Whirlpool (W) from "Neutral" to "Overweight," raising the target price from $104 to $123, citing accelerated market share growth expected in 2025 and continuation into 2026 [5]. - Oppenheimer upgraded McDonald's (MCD) from "Market Perform" to "Outperform," setting a target price of $355, with a more optimistic outlook for the restaurant sector in 2026 despite a poor performance in 2025 [5]. - Barclays upgraded Lowe's (LOW) from "Neutral" to "Overweight," increasing the target price from $259 to $285, based on an expected improvement in non-essential goods demand due to upcoming tax policy changes [5]. - Piper Sandler upgraded Hershey (HSY) from "Neutral" to "Overweight," raising the target price from $193 to $213, noting lower cocoa costs and the removal of cocoa tariffs, which provide flexibility for reinvestment and growth [5]. - Bank of America upgraded Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) from "Underperform" to "Buy," significantly raising the target price from $627 to $860, as previous concerns regarding Eylea SD have been addressed [5]. Downgrades - Jefferies downgraded First Solar (FSLR) from "Buy" to "Hold," lowering the target price from $269 to $260 due to limited visibility on orders and emerging strategic issues [10]. - Oppenheimer downgraded Yum Brands (YUM) from "Outperform" to "Market Perform," with no target price set, as the stock's risk-reward profile has become balanced after a 13% increase in 2025 [10]. - Montreal Bank Capital Markets downgraded Union Pacific Railroad (UNP) from "Outperform" to "Market Perform," reducing the target price from $270 to $255, citing high uncertainty regarding regulatory outcomes and weak freight demand [10]. - Piper Sandler downgraded Deckers Outdoor (DECK) from "Neutral" to "Underweight," lowering the target price from $100 to $85, as the company has increased discount promotions on its core brands [10]. - Wells Fargo downgraded Humana (HUM) from "Overweight" to "Neutral," setting a target price of $290, due to uncertainties regarding profit margin targets for 2026 [10]. New Coverage - Argus Research initiated coverage on grocery delivery platform Instacart (CART) with a "Buy" rating and a target price of $52, highlighting revenue growth and recent profitability achievements [11]. - Citigroup initiated coverage on Natera (NTRA) with a "Buy" rating and a target price of $300, citing significant growth potential [11]. - Link Consulting initiated coverage on Galecto (GLTO) with an "Outperform" rating and a target price of $46, noting its acquisition of Damola Therapeutics to advance its oncology pipeline [11]. - Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Apogee Therapeutics (APGE) with a "Market Perform" rating, without a target price, predicting mixed catalysts for the stock in 2026 [11]. - Mizuho Securities initiated coverage on Palvella Therapeutics (PVLA) with an "Outperform" rating and a target price of $205, based on positive clinical trial data for its drug Qtorin [11].

Core Insights - Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) is identified as a compelling value play in the medical facilities sector, trading at a forward earnings multiple of 9.62X, which is below its five-year median of 11.70X and the industry average of 10.84X [1][6] - UHS has a Value Score of A, indicating strong appeal to valuation-conscious investors [2] Share Price Performance - UHS has seen a share price increase of 26.7% over the past year, outperforming the industry growth of 22.1% and the S&P 500's rise of 16.3% [4] - Despite trailing behind Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC) and HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) in returns, UHS has still achieved significant gains, reflecting improving fundamentals and investor confidence [4] Financial Metrics - UHS's forward P/E ratio of 9.62X is lower than major peers, with rising admissions and patient days supporting revenue growth [6] - Adjusted net margins have expanded from 5.2% in 2023 to 7.1% in 2024 and further to 8.1% in Q3 2025, indicating operational leverage [10] Revenue Growth - UHS has experienced steady revenue growth across its Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Care Services segments, with adjusted admissions increasing by 6.5% in 2023 and projected growth of 3.8% in 2024 [9] - Adjusted patient days in the Behavioral Health segment rose by 1.7% in 2023 and 1.6% in 2024, demonstrating stable demand [9] Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns - UHS generated $525 million in free cash flow in 2023, $1.1 billion in 2024, and $537 million in the first nine months of 2025, with a conservative long-term debt-to-capital ratio of 35.7% [11] - The company has repurchased approximately 36% of its outstanding shares since 2019, with buybacks totaling $525 million in 2023 and $598.5 million in 2024 [12] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 adjusted earnings is $21.83 per share, indicating a year-over-year growth of 31.4%, with a projected 7.4% increase in 2026 [13] - Revenue estimates imply growth of 9.7% in 2025 and 5.2% in 2026, with UHS exceeding earnings expectations in the past four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 15.2% [14][13] Analyst Sentiment - Analysts suggest additional upside for UHS shares, which currently trade below the average price target of $252.18, indicating potential upside of approximately 12.1% [15] - Target estimates range from $190 to $302, reflecting varying risk assumptions, but the overall outlook remains positive [15] Conclusion - UHS is well-positioned for investors seeking value with improving fundamentals, supported by discounted valuation, consistent volume growth, expanding margins, and strong free cash flow generation [16] - The company has a conservative balance sheet and an aggressive share repurchase program, enhancing shareholder returns [16]

Core Insights - Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) is a significant player in the healthcare sector, operating acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, and outpatient services, with a market capitalization of $13.9 billion [1][2] Company Performance - UHS is classified as a large-cap stock, reflecting its substantial size and influence in the medical care facilities industry, benefiting from operational expertise and steady demand [2] - The company's stock is currently trading 9.6% below its 52-week high of $246.33, but has gained 16.1% over the past three months, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 3.7% increase during the same period [3] - Over the past 52 weeks, UHS shares have increased by 19.4%, surpassing the S&P 500's 12.8% rise, and are up 24.1% year-to-date compared to the S&P 500's 16.1% return [4] Recent Financial Results - UHS reported better-than-expected Q3 earnings, with a 13.4% year-over-year revenue increase to $4.5 billion, exceeding consensus estimates by 4.4% [5] - The adjusted EPS rose by 53.4% from the previous year to $5.69, significantly above analyst expectations of $4.66 [5] - The company has raised its fiscal 2025 revenue and earnings guidance, indicating strong operational momentum [5] Competitive Landscape - UHS has underperformed compared to its rival HCA Healthcare, which has seen a 55.4% increase over the past 52 weeks and a 61.5% rise year-to-date [6]