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Universal Health Services (UHS) Up 2.2% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?
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It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Universal Health Services (UHS - Free Report) . Shares have added about 2.2% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Universal Health Services due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
Universal Health Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates, Up Y/Y
Universal Health Services Inc. reported second-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings of $2.47 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.3%. Moreover, the bottom line grew 27.3% year over year.
Net revenues increased 2.6% year over year to $2.68 billion. However, the top line lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.3%.
Total operating expenses of $2.4 billion at the end of the first quarter, increasing 3.3% year over year.
Segment Update
Acute Care Hospitals:
Adjusted admissions and adjusted patient days increased 1.9% and 4.7%, respectively, from the prior-year quarter. Net revenues (on a same facility basis) climbed 3.3% in the second quarter.
Behavioral hospitals:
On a same facility basis, adjusted admissions increased 1.2% while adjusted patient days declined 0.3%, both on a year-over-year basis. Net revenues increased 2.8% during the quarter under review on a same facility basis.
Financial Update
As of Jun 30, 2018, the company had cash and cash equivalents of nearly $76 million, up 3.3% from year-end 2017.
Total assets were $11 billion as of Jun 30, 2018, up 2.9% from year-end 2017.
The long-term debt of the company stood at $ 3.8 billion, up 10.6% from year-end 2017.
For the first half of 2018, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $629 million, up 18% year over year.
Buyback Program
In November 2017, the board of directors authorized a $400-million increase in Universal Health’s stock repurchase program, raising the aggregate authorization to $1.2 billion from the previous $800 million approved in 2016 and 2014. During the second quarter, the company bought back 1.12 million shares for a worth of $129.6 million.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimate.
VGM Scores
Currently, Universal Health Services has an average Growth Score of C, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. However, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Based on our scores, the stock is more suitable for value investors than those looking for growth and momentum.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Universal Health Services has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
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Universal Health Services (UHS) Up 2.2% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Universal Health Services (UHS - Free Report) . Shares have added about 2.2% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Universal Health Services due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
Universal Health Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates, Up Y/Y
Universal Health Services Inc. reported second-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings of $2.47 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.3%. Moreover, the bottom line grew 27.3% year over year.
Net revenues increased 2.6% year over year to $2.68 billion. However, the top line lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.3%.
Total operating expenses of $2.4 billion at the end of the first quarter, increasing 3.3% year over year.
Segment Update
Acute Care Hospitals:
Adjusted admissions and adjusted patient days increased 1.9% and 4.7%, respectively, from the prior-year quarter. Net revenues (on a same facility basis) climbed 3.3% in the second quarter.
Behavioral hospitals:
On a same facility basis, adjusted admissions increased 1.2% while adjusted patient days declined 0.3%, both on a year-over-year basis. Net revenues increased 2.8% during the quarter under review on a same facility basis.
Financial Update
As of Jun 30, 2018, the company had cash and cash equivalents of nearly $76 million, up 3.3% from year-end 2017.
Total assets were $11 billion as of Jun 30, 2018, up 2.9% from year-end 2017.
The long-term debt of the company stood at $ 3.8 billion, up 10.6% from year-end 2017.
For the first half of 2018, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $629 million, up 18% year over year.
Buyback Program
In November 2017, the board of directors authorized a $400-million increase in Universal Health’s stock repurchase program, raising the aggregate authorization to $1.2 billion from the previous $800 million approved in 2016 and 2014. During the second quarter, the company bought back 1.12 million shares for a worth of $129.6 million.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimate.
VGM Scores
Currently, Universal Health Services has an average Growth Score of C, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. However, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Based on our scores, the stock is more suitable for value investors than those looking for growth and momentum.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Universal Health Services has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.