01:55 PM EDT, 04/30/2024 (MT Newswires) -- CFRA, an independent research provider, has provided MT Newswires with the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:

We raise our 12-month target price by $8 to $183, reflecting a 13.4x multiple of our 2024 EPS estimate (up $1.03 to $13.68; we raise our 2025 estimate by $0.95 to $15.02), a premium to UHS's three- and five-year averages of 12.5x and 12.8x, respectively. Q1 adj. EPS of $3.70 vs. $2.34 was $0.56 above consensus. Despite some volume headwinds from Easter and Spring Break during the quarter, same-facility Acute segment adj. admissions rose 4.5% Y/Y, while revenue per admission rose 4.6% Y/Y. Behavioral segment adj. admissions fell 0.8% Y/Y, though revenue per adj. admission rose 11.2% Y/Y, and UHS expects behavioral volumes will trend upward as the year progresses. Consolidated adj. EBITDA margin improved to 13.7% vs. 12.1% in the prior-year quarter, but physician expenses remain elevated. UHS guides for 5%-6% annual growth in physician expense during 2024. UHS maintained 2024 financial targets, but we think a guidance raise may be in store should volumes and margins continue to improve in Q2.