TD Cowen Cuts Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Price Target to $230.00

02 May 2026, 08:43 by Jessica Moore · The Cerbat Gem

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS – Free Report) had its target price cut by TD Cowen from $245.00 to $230.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the health services provider’s stock.

Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Raymond James Financial cut shares of Universal Health Services from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Sunday, April 12th. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $268.00 to $238.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $261.00 to $230.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $220.94.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Universal Health Services

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of UHS stock opened at $167.16 on Wednesday. Universal Health Services has a 12 month low of $152.33 and a 12 month high of $246.32. The stock has a market cap of $10.21 billion, a PE ratio of 6.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $188.99 and its 200-day moving average price is $208.93.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, April 27th. The health services provider reported $5.62 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.41 by $0.21. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.56% and a return on equity of 19.57%. The firm had revenue of $4.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.39 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $4.84 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2026 guidance at 22.640-24.520 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Universal Health Services will post 23.34 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd were given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 2nd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is 3.33%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 2,665 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $501,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. United Services Automobile Association purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at about $235,000. Focus Partners Wealth increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 80.6% during the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 2,631 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $494,000 after purchasing an additional 1,174 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 95.0% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 583 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $106,000 after purchasing an additional 284 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Gamco Investors INC. ET AL purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter valued at about $379,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Universal Health Services this week:

Positive Sentiment: UHS reiterated its full‑year 2026 volume targets despite softer seasonal volumes in Q1, signaling management confidence in recovery and that the Q1 hit may be temporary. Investors may view this as a stabilizing sign for guidance. UHS reaffirms 2026 volume targets
Positive Sentiment: UHS deployed eight AI solutions in its revenue cycle in 2025 and is evaluating clinical operation use — potential margin upside and efficiency gains if rollouts scale. This supports longer‑term operating leverage. UHS deployed 8 AI solutions
Neutral Sentiment: UHS is scheduled to present at the BofA Securities Health Care Conference (May 12). Management comments there could move shares if they provide clearer color on volumes, margins or M&A. UHS to present at BofA conference
Neutral Sentiment: Analysts’ views are mixed on UHS relative to peers — differing takes may sustain volatility as investors parse which franchises (behavioral, acute, outpatient) will drive recovery. Analysts’ opinions mixed
Negative Sentiment: Despite beating Q1 estimates, UHS shares fell after the quarter as investors focused on volume softness and the tone from the call rather than the beat — short‑term sentiment hurt. Why UHS is down after Q1
Negative Sentiment: Coverage updates trimmed price targets: Stephens and Morgan Stanley lowered targets and kept “equal weight,” while several firms lowered targets (Mizuho, TD Cowen) even if ratings were maintained. Those revisions pressure sentiment and cap near‑term upside. Stephens price target cut Morgan Stanley price target cut
Negative Sentiment: Q1 commentary/coverage noting that earnings growth was dampened by volume hits underscores the risk that patient volumes — not just pricing or cost control — will determine near‑term results. Q1 growth dampened by volume hits

About Universal Health Services

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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.