Dive Brief:
- Universal Health Services reported net income soared 22% to $171.7 million during the third quarter this year compared to a year ago. Net revenue experienced a 4% bump to $2.65 billion during the same period.
- The King of Prussia, Pennsylvania-based hospital chain also said it put $90 million aside for civil matters related to the Department of Justice's investigation into the company's behavioral health facilities. Nearly $50 million was added to the fund during the third quarter, the company said Thursday.
- UHS narrowed its full-year earnings guidance to be between $9.25 and $9.60 per diluted share compared to the previously range of $9.25 to $9.90. The upper range of the guidance was narrowed by 3%.
Dive Insight:
Mizuho analysts said that despite the softness, UHS "handily" beat its earnings expectations, largely driven by the hospital operator's acute care unit. Both admissions and patients days increased in the company's acute care facilities by 1.5% and 4.1%, respectively.
The DOJ is investigating whether some UHS facilities submitted false claims related to services allegedly provided at the sites. For Q3, behavior health facilities experienced admissions increases of nearly 5% and patient days barely increased — by 0.6%.
Net income for the first nine months increased nearly 26% to $674.3 million, or $7.16 per diluted share, as compared to $535.8 million, or $5.53 per diluted share, during the previous time period.
During the third quarter, UHS repurchased about 940,000 shares for a total of about $117.9 million. During the first nine months of the year, the company has repurchased 2.1 million shares for a total of $252 million, or about $120 per share.
UHS shares were down slightly to $121.50 for Thursday's close, about 52 cents lower than Wednesday's $122.02 close.
Community Health Systems and HCA both report third quarter earnings next week.