Universal Health Services Inc (UHS) Stock

Universal Health Services Inc trades at a P/E ratio of 8.34, which is below the market average of approximately 20. This lower valuation could indicate the market has modest growth expectations, or it might represent an undervalued opportunity if the fundamentals are strong. Looking ahead, the forward P/E of 8.53 is higher than the current P/E, indicating analysts expect earnings to decline over the next year. The PEG ratio of 1.42 indicates reasonable value when growth is considered.

With a beta of 1.26, Universal Health Services Inc is roughly as volatile as the market, moving in line with broad market trends. This moderate beta suggests the stock offers market-level returns without excessive volatility. The price-to-book ratio of 1.65 shows investors value the company above its book value, which often reflects intangible assets or growth prospects.

Universal Health Services Inc achieves a profit margin of 8.57%, meaning it retains $8.57 from every $100 in revenue after all expenses. This represents a solid margin typical of well-run businesses, showing the company can effectively balance revenue generation with cost control. The operating margin of 11.50% reveals how efficiently the company runs its core business operations before interest and taxes. With ROE at 21.30% and ROA at 8.31%, the company generates strong returns on invested capital.

Universal Health Services Inc's revenue grew by 9.10% year-over-year, showing steady progress in growing the business. This positive trajectory indicates the company maintains competitive positioning in its markets. Earnings increased by 42.70% year-over-year, outpacing revenue growth through improved margins. These growth metrics should be evaluated against MEDICAL CARE FACILITIES industry averages for proper context.

Universal Health Services Inc offers a dividend yield of 0.41%, paying $0.80 per share annually. This modest yield below 2% suggests the company prioritizes growth investments over current income. While the dividend provides some return, investors are likely attracted more by capital appreciation potential than income generation. To receive the next dividend, shares must be purchased before the ex-dividend date of Mar 2, 2026.

The dividend sustainability can be assessed through the payout ratio - Universal Health Services Inc pays $0.80 per share in dividends against earnings of $23.10 per share, resulting in a payout ratio of 3.46%. This conservative payout below 30% indicates excellent dividend safety with substantial room for future increases. The company retains most earnings for growth while still rewarding shareholders. The next dividend payment is scheduled for Mar 16, 2026.

Universal Health Services Inc has a market capitalization of $11.8B, classifying it as a large-cap stock ($10B-$200B). Large-caps are typically industry leaders with established business models, offering a balance of stability and growth potential. They often provide dividend income and are core holdings in institutional portfolios. With 53.84M shares outstanding, the company's ownership is relatively concentrated. As a participant in the MEDICAL CARE FACILITIES industry, it competes with other firms in this sector.

Universal Health Services Inc's book value per share is $119.15, while the current stock price is $192.34, resulting in a price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 1.61. This reasonable premium to book value suggests the market values the company's earnings power and intangible assets appropriately. Most profitable companies trade between 1-3x book value. As a common stock, this represents equity ownership with voting rights.

19 analysts cover UHS with 42% recommending buy/strong buy ratings. Analyst predictions have mixed reliability - studies show consensus rarely beats market returns consistently. The mixed views reflect uncertainty about the outlook. The consensus target of $250.76 implies 30.4% upside, but targets are often adjusted to follow price moves rather than predict them.

Current analyst recommendations:2 Strong Buy, 6 Buy, 10 Hold, 01 Strong Sell. The neutral stance suggests uncertainty or fair valuation at current levels.Remember that analyst opinions often lag price movements and can be influenced by investment banking relationships.