Universal Health Services Inc. (NYSE:UHS) reported first-quarter 2019 adjusted earnings of $2.45 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.8%. Meanwhile, the bottom line matched the prior-year quarter’s figure on the back of revenue growth.
Results were impacted by a pre-tax unrealized loss of $4.3 million due to a decline in the market value of shares of certain marketable securities.
Net revenues increased 4.3% year over year to $2.8 billion, banking on higher admissions and patient days. However, the metric lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.4%.
Total operating expenses of $2.5 billion at the end of the first quarter rose4.7% year over year, mainly due to salaries, wages and benefits along with other operating expense plus supplies expenses.
Universal Health Services, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Segment Update
Acute Care Hospitals:
Adjusted admissions and adjusted patient days were up 4.9% and 4.4%, respectively, from the prior-year quarter. Net revenues (on a same facility basis) climbed 4.7% in the first quarter, majorly aided by a rise in admissions and patient days.
Behavioral Hospitals:
On same facility basis, adjusted admissions inched up 2.9% while adjusted patient days dipped 0.9%, both on a year-over-year basis. Net revenues were up 3% during the quarter under review on same facility basis.
Financial Update
As of Mar 31, 2019, the company had cash and cash equivalents of nearly $62.7 million, down 40.4% from the year-end 2018-level.
Total assets were $11.7 billion as of Mar 31, 2019, up 4.1% from the figure as of 2018 end.
The company’s long-term debt came in at $ 3.8 billion, down 2.9% from the number as of Dec 31, 2018.
For the first quarter, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $391 million, down 4.6% year over year due to an unfavorable change in accounts receivable as well as other combined adverse changes.
Buyback Program
During the first quarter, the company bought back shares worth $106.3 million.
Moreover, last December, its board of directors authorized a $500-million jump from the existing share repurchase program.
Zacks Rank
Universal Health currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Upcoming Releases From Medical Sector
Some stocks worth considering from the medical sector are as follows:
Aduro Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADRO) is slated to release first-quarter earnings figures on May 1. This stock has an Earnings ESP of +82.00% and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
bluebird bio, Inc. (NASDAQ:BLUE) has an Earnings ESP of +12.12% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The company is set to report first-quarter earnings on May 1.
Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) is set to report first-quarter 2019 earnings performance on May 1. The stock has an Earnings ESP of +0.84% and a Zacks Rank of 3.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2019
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See Latest Stocks Today >>
bluebird bio, Inc. (BLUE): Free Stock Analysis Report
Aduro Biotech, Inc. (ADRO): Free Stock Analysis Report
Humana Inc. (HUM): Free Stock Analysis Report
Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS): Free Stock Analysis Report
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