Universal Health Services (UHS) Q1 2025 Earnings Call April 29, 2025 09:00 AM ET Company Participants Steve Filton - Executive VP, CFO & SecretaryMarc Miller - CEO, President & DirectorAndrew Mok - DirectorBen Hendrix - Vice PresidentBenjamin Rossi - Equity Research AssociateJoshua Raskin - Partner - Managed Care & ProvidersCraig Hettenbach - Executive DirectorA.J. Rice - Managing Director Conference Call Participants Justin Lake - Analyst - Healthcare ServicesSarah James - Managing Director & Equity Analys ...

Larry Ellison, co-founder and executive chairman of Oracle Corp., speaks during the Oracle OpenWorld 2018 conference in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. The outage began on April 23, after engineers conducting maintenance work mistakenly deleted critical storage connected to a key database, a CHS spokesperson said in a statement. The outage was resolved on Monday, and was not related to a cyberattack or other security incident. Oracle engineers mistakenly triggered a five-day softw ...

Core Viewpoint - The Zibo First Hospital Branch has transitioned to a comprehensive hospital, enhancing its medical services by integrating various specialties and improving patient care [1]. Group 1: Hospital Transformation - The tuberculosis function has been transferred to the Zibo Infectious Disease Hospital, allowing the branch to focus on a broader range of medical services [1]. - The hospital now includes specialties such as internal medicine, surgery, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and ophthalmology [1]. Group 2: Facility Improvements - The hospital has undergone a comprehensive renovation, creating a beautiful garden-like environment for patients [2]. - Inpatient conditions have significantly improved, with spacious wards equipped with modern living facilities [2]. Group 3: Advanced Medical Equipment - The imaging department has acquired a new 40-slice 80-layer spiral CT scanner, enhancing diagnostic capabilities [3]. - The laboratory is equipped with advanced instruments like fully automated biochemical analyzers and blood analyzers to meet patient diagnostic needs [3]. Group 4: Specialized Departments - Internal Medicine: Treats respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular, neurological, and endocrine diseases [4]. - Surgery: New outpatient services for various surgical specialties, including general surgery and orthopedic surgery, with comprehensive treatment options [4]. - Acupuncture: Utilizes acupuncture and needle knife therapy for neurological and pain-related conditions [4]. - Traditional Chinese Medicine: Offers personalized treatment plans and traditional herbal medicine services [4]. - Ophthalmology: Specializes in cataracts, retinal diseases, and glaucoma [5]. Group 5: Accessibility and Services - Patients can make appointments through the "Health Zibo" public account or by calling the hospital [6]. - The hospital provides convenient parking with 200 spaces available for free [6]. - Public transportation options include a free health shuttle and multiple bus routes with nearby stops [7][8][9]. Group 6: Expert Consultation - The hospital regularly arranges for renowned specialists to provide consultations, ensuring high-quality medical services [10].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the first quarter of 2025, diluted earnings per share, as adjusted, increased more than 20% year-over-year to $6.45 [9] - Adjusted EBITDA grew 11.3% over the prior year quarter, with an adjusted EBITDA margin improvement of 110 basis points [20][22] - Cash flow from operations was $1.65 billion in the quarter, impacted by working capital changes [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Inpatient admissions grew 2.6% year-over-year, equivalent admissions increased 2.8%, and emergency room visits rose 4% [10] - Same facilities revenue grew almost 6%, driven by volume increases and approximately 3% higher revenue per equivalent admission [11] - Surgical volumes were mixed, with inpatient surgeries slightly up and outpatient cases down [10][33] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Same-facility managed care equivalent admissions increased by 5.4% compared to the prior year quarter, while same-facility equivalent exchange admissions surged 22.4% [20] - Exchange volume represented about 8% of equivalent admissions and approximately 10% of revenues for the quarter [108] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining operational discipline while continuing to invest in its strategic agenda, including increasing the number of facilities by 3.3% [12][13] - Capital allocation strategy includes $991 million in capital expenditures, $225 million in share repurchases, and $180 million in dividends [25] - The company is investing heavily in technology and digital transformation to improve operational efficiency and clinical care [132][133] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the overall demand for healthcare services and the company's ability to navigate through uncertain policy environments [14][18] - The company is developing plans to address potential adverse impacts from health policy changes and tariffs, drawing from experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic [17][75] - Management noted that the labor market remains stable, with initiatives in place to support workforce development [45][80] Other Important Information - The company reaffirmed its guidance ranges for the full-year 2025, indicating confidence in its operational performance [26] - The company reported an $18 million increase in net benefits related to Medicaid in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the prior year quarter [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Any major changes in assumptions embedded in the guidance? - Management stated that the first quarter performance was solid, and guidance for 2025 remains appropriate [31][32] Question: How to achieve productivity and manage turnover? - Management highlighted that operating leverage is created by pushing more volume through the organization, and turnover rates are lower year-over-year [42][44] Question: Clarification on revenue per adjusted admission increase? - Management noted that the increase was driven by payer mix trends and outpatient revenue growth, despite a decline in outpatient surgery case volumes [53][55] Question: Changes in Medicare Advantage behavior and length of stay? - Management indicated that Medicare Advantage continues to run a bit higher on length of stay compared to traditional Medicare, but no significant changes were observed [68] Question: Impact of tariffs on supply sourcing? - Management mentioned that 70% of supply expenses are contracted with firm pricing for 2025, and 75% of supply expenses come from the U.S., Canada, or Mexico [73][75] Question: Competitive environment and CapEx priorities? - Management noted no substantial changes in competitors' behaviors, but the company is positioned to gain market share if competitors face challenges [100][101]

Core Insights - Community Health Systems (CYH) reported revenue of $3.16 billion for the quarter ended March 2025, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 0.6% and surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.11 billion by 1.44% [1] - The company posted an EPS of -$0.03, an improvement from -$0.14 a year ago, resulting in a surprise of 70% compared to the consensus estimate of -$0.10 [1] Financial Performance - Revenue increased by 0.6% year-over-year to $3.16 billion [1] - EPS improved from -$0.14 to -$0.03 year-over-year [1] - The company achieved a revenue surprise of 1.44% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate [1] - EPS surprise was 70% compared to the consensus estimate [1] Key Metrics - Number of Hospitals: 73, slightly below the estimated 74 [4] - Licensed Beds: 10,788, below the estimated 11,026 [4] - Patient Days: 468,365, slightly above the estimated 467,459.3 [4] - Admissions: 105,937, exceeding the average estimate of 101,635 [4] - Adjusted Admissions: 230,780, slightly below the estimated 231,737 [4] - Beds in Service: 9,285, above the estimated 9,228 [4] Stock Performance - Community Health Systems shares have returned -14.2% over the past month, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -6.6% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market [3]

Due to the essentiality of healthcare, the medical sector can provide a defensive hedge against market uncertainty, and investors may be eyeing AbbVie (ABBV)  and HCA Healthcare (HCA)  stock ahead of their Q1 reports on Friday, April 25.Being the largest non-governmental operator of acute care hospitals in the United States, HCA shares are up a very respectable +11% year to date, with pharmaceutical giant AbbVie’s stock virtually flat but outperforming the benchmark S&P 500’s 10% decline as well. That said, ...

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies and confidence, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1] - The Zacks Style Scores provide a framework for evaluating stocks based on value, growth, and momentum, aiding investors in selecting securities likely to outperform the market [2] Zacks Style Scores Overview - Stocks are rated from A to F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, with A being the highest score indicating a better chance of outperforming [3] - The Style Scores are categorized into four types: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score, each focusing on different investment strategies [3][4][5][6] Value Score - The Value Score identifies undervalued stocks by analyzing financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow, helping value investors find attractive investment opportunities [3] Growth Score - The Growth Score assesses a company's financial health and future potential by examining projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow, targeting stocks with sustainable growth [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Score focuses on price trends and earnings outlook, helping investors identify optimal times to invest based on recent price changes and earnings estimate adjustments [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive evaluation of stocks based on value, growth, and momentum, assisting investors in narrowing down their choices [6] Zacks Rank Integration - The Zacks Rank utilizes earnings estimate revisions to simplify portfolio building, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks achieving an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [7][8] - To maximize returns, investors should focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B, ensuring a higher probability of success [9] Stock Highlight: Universal Health Services (UHS) - Universal Health Services Inc. is rated 1 (Strong Buy) on the Zacks Rank and has a VGM Score of A, indicating strong investment potential [11] - The company is projected to achieve year-over-year earnings growth of 14% for the current fiscal year, supported by positive earnings estimate revisions and a consensus estimate increase of $1.25 to $18.94 per share [12]

Group 1 - Community Health Systems, Inc. (CYH) has agreed to sell its 80% stake in Cedar Park Regional Medical Center for $460 million in cash to Ascension Health [1][2] - The deal is expected to close by late Q2 or early Q3 of this year, aligning with CYH's strategy to streamline operations and focus on profitable assets [2][3] - CYH's ongoing evaluation of non-core assets and recent divestitures, including Mooresville Hospital and ShorePoint Health System, are part of its strategy to improve same-store metrics [3][4] Group 2 - The proceeds from divestitures are intended to enhance capital efficiency and reduce CYH's debt-to-capital ratio, which stands at 117.1%, significantly higher than the industry average of 92.3% [5] - CYH's stock has declined by 14.4% over the past year, compared to the industry's average decline of 4.2% [6] - CYH currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), while other medical stocks like Addus Homecare, Aveanna Healthcare, and Option Care Health have higher rankings [7]

Company Overview - Select Medical Holdings Corporation is one of the largest operators of critical illness recovery hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, and outpatient rehabilitation clinics in the United States based on the number of facilities [4] - As of March 31, 2025, Select Medical operated 104 critical illness recovery hospitals in 29 states, 35 rehabilitation hospitals in 14 states, and 1,911 outpatient rehabilitation clinics in 39 states and the District of Columbia [4] - The company has operations in 41 states and the District of Columbia [4] Financial Results Announcement - Select Medical will release its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, on Thursday, May 1, 2025, after the market closes [1] - A conference call regarding the first quarter results and business outlook will be hosted on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 9:00 am ET [2] - The conference call will be available as a live webcast and can be accessed through the company's website [2]

Group 1 - The core idea of the articles revolves around the implementation of home care services in Bao'an District, leveraging technology to enhance healthcare accessibility for elderly and disabled patients [1][2][3] - The "Internet + Nursing Services" initiative has expanded from one hospital to cover nine public hospitals and 222 community health institutions in the district, providing comprehensive service coverage [1] - The platform has registered 1,166 senior nurses and 396 specialized nurses, delivering home care services to over 10,000 patients in the past year [1] - The home care service platform offers 14 categories and 64 types of services, with elderly patients constituting over 80% of the service recipients [2] - The integration of AI in service management has reduced transportation time for nurses, allowing them to spend more time on patient care [3]