Universal Health Services (NYSE: UHS) reported earnings on Feb. 27. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Universal Health Services missed slightly on revenue and beat slightly on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased significantly and GAAP earnings per share grew significantly.

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
Universal Health Services notched revenue of $1.85 billion. The 17 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for a top line of $1.88 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 18% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.56 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.86. The 19 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.85 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.98 for Q3 were 158% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.38 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 227.1%, 2,930 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 11.4%, 300 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.2%, 280 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.87 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.90.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $7.52 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.96.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 111 members out of 120 rating the stock outperform, and nine members rating it underperform. Among 45 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 42 give Universal Health Services a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Universal Health Services is outperform, with an average price target of $51.72.

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