Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) is set to announce its Q3 2024 earnings results on October 24.
Analysts expect a significant increase in earnings per share (EPS), with the current estimate at $3.75, reflecting a 47.1% rise compared to the same quarter last year. This is due to a surge in patient admissions, an increase in adjusted patient days, and a sustained demand for behavioral healthcare services. However, there have been downward revisions to the earnings estimate over the past two months, raising questions about the company's ability to meet these projections.
The revenue outlook for UHS looks promising, with a predicted 9.7% increase in third-quarter revenues to $3.9 billion. This growth is expected to be driven by the Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Care Services segments.
UHS has a strong track record of surpassing earnings estimates, but the current forecast presents a more complex picture. The company's Earnings ESP is -6.00%, indicating that the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Despite this, UHS maintains a Zacks Rank of 1, categorizing it as a Strong Buy.
Key factors influencing Q3 results include the growth of the Acute Care Hospital Services segment and the sustained demand for Behavioral Health Care Services. The upcoming earnings release will provide critical insights into the company's operational performance and market positioning.