Universal Health Services (UHS) Up 11.1% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?

Core Viewpoint - Universal Health Services (UHS) has shown strong performance in its recent earnings report, with significant growth in earnings and revenues, leading to an upward revision of its financial guidance for 2025 [3][11]. Financial Performance - UHS reported Q3 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $5.69, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 22.1% and reflecting a year-over-year increase of 53.4% [3]. - Net revenues reached $4.5 billion, marking a 13.4% year-over-year improvement and surpassing the consensus estimate by 4.2% [3]. - Adjusted EBITDA rose 27.4% year over year to $670.6 million, exceeding the estimate of $577.4 million [5]. Segment Performance - In Acute Care Hospital Services, adjusted admissions grew 2% on a same-facility basis, with net revenues improving 12.8% [6]. - Behavioral Health Care Services saw adjusted admissions increase by 0.5%, with net revenues rising 9.3% on a same-facility basis [7]. Operational Costs - Total operating costs for the quarter were $4 billion, an 11% increase year over year, driven by higher salaries, wages, and benefits [5]. Financial Position - As of September 30, 2025, UHS had cash and cash equivalents of $112.9 million, down 10.4% from the end of 2024 [8]. - Long-term debt decreased by 11.5% year over year to $4 billion, while total equity increased by 7.1% to $7.2 billion [9]. Share Repurchase Program - UHS repurchased shares worth approximately $234.3 million in Q3 and approved a $1.5 billion increase to its stock repurchase program, bringing the total remaining authorization to $1.8 billion [10]. Revised Guidance - The company revised its 2025 net revenue guidance to a range of $17.306-$17.445 billion, indicating a projected growth of 9.8% from 2024 [11]. - EPS is now expected to be between $21.50 and $22.10, reflecting a 31.2% growth from the previous year [12]. Market Outlook - Estimates for UHS have been trending upward, and the stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), suggesting an expectation of above-average returns in the coming months [15].