Universal Health Services (NYSE: UHS) reported earnings on May 8. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Universal Health Services beat expectations on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

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

Gross margins dropped, operating margins were steady, net margins improved.

Revenue details
Universal Health Services chalked up revenue of $1.98 billion. The 13 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $1.93 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 3.5% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.91 billion.

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

EPS details
EPS came in at $1.13. The 18 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.17 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.31 for Q1 were 14% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.15 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 44.4%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 13.6%, about the same as the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.5%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.93 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.12.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $7.62 billion. The average EPS estimate is $4.39.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 111 members out of 121 rating the stock outperform, and 11 members rating it underperform. Among 39 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 35 give Universal Health Services a green thumbs-up, and four 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 $52.37.

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