ACHC
Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc.
Medical - Care Facilities
Market Cap$2.33B
5Y Perf.-11.6%
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Stock Comparison
ACHC vs UHS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
UHS
Universal Health Services, Inc.
Medical - Care Facilities
Market Cap$10.55B
5Y Perf.+59.8%
ACHC vs UHS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ACHC | UHS |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Medical - Care Facilities | Medical - Care Facilities |
| Market Cap | $2.33B | $10.55B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.37B | $17.76B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-1.11B | $1.52B |
| Gross Margin | 56.2% | 67.6% |
| Operating Margin | 11.7% | 11.5% |
| Forward P/E | 17.0x | 7.2x |
| Total Debt | $2.65B | $5.51B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $133M | $138M |
ACHC vs UHS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
ACHC
UHS
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acadia Healthcare C… (ACHC) | 100 | 88.4 | -11.6% |
| Universal Health Se… (UHS) | 100 | 159.8 | +59.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ACHC vs UHS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: UHS leads in 6 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
ACHC
Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc.
The Income Pick
ACHC is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.84
- +6.3% vs UHS's -8.1%
Best for: income & stability
UHS
Universal Health Services, Inc.
The Growth Play
UHS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 9.7%, EPS growth 37.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 9.0%
- 30.4% 10Y total return vs ACHC's -56.7%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.60, Low D/E 74.3%, current ratio 1.05x
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | UHS | 9.7% revenue growth vs ACHC's 5.0% |
| Value | UHS | Lower P/E (7.2x vs 17.0x) |
| Quality / Margins | UHS | 8.6% margin vs ACHC's -32.8% |
| Stability / Safety | UHS | Beta 0.60 vs ACHC's 0.84, lower leverage |
| Dividends | UHS | 0.5% yield; 1-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | ACHC | +6.3% vs UHS's -8.1% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | UHS | 9.8% ROA vs ACHC's -18.6%, ROIC 12.3% vs 5.9% |
ACHC vs UHS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
ACHC vs UHS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLUHSLAGGINGACHC
ACHCAcadia Healthcare Com…
0leads
UHSUniversal Health Serv…
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs ACHCMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
UHS5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
UHS3/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
UHS7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
UHS4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
UHS leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
UHS is the larger business by revenue, generating $17.8B annually — 5.3x ACHC's $3.4B. UHS is the more profitable business, keeping 8.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ACHC's -32.8%.
| Metric | ACHCAcadia Healthcare… | UHSUniversal Health … |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.4B | $17.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $588M | $2.7B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$1.1B | $1.5B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$215M | $894M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +56.2% | +67.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +11.7% | +11.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -32.8% | +8.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -6.4% | +5.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +7.6% | +9.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -49.8% | +17.7% |
UHS leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
UHS leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, UHS's 6.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than ACHC's 8.4x.
| Metric | ACHCAcadia Healthcare… | UHSUniversal Health … |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $2.3B | $10.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $4.9B | $15.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -2.08x | 7.29x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 16.98x | 7.21x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.46x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 8.40x | 6.09x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.70x | 0.61x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.07x | 1.47x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 12.42x |
UHS leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
UHS leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
UHS delivers a 20.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $21 in annual profit, vs $-41 for ACHC. UHS carries lower financial leverage with a 0.74x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ACHC's 1.24x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), UHS scores 6/9 vs ACHC's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ACHCAcadia Healthcare… | UHSUniversal Health … |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -40.9% | +20.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -18.6% | +9.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +5.9% | +12.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +7.5% | +16.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.24x | 0.74x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.5B | $5.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $133M | $138M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.7B | $5.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -5.99x | 10.92x |
UHS leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
UHS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in UHS five years ago would be worth $11,165 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $3,964 for ACHC. Over the past 12 months, ACHC leads with a +6.3% total return vs UHS's -8.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors UHS at 6.1% vs ACHC's -28.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ACHCAcadia Healthcare… | UHSUniversal Health … |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +77.0% | -23.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +6.3% | -8.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -63.3% | +19.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -60.4% | +11.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -56.7% | +30.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -28.4% | +6.1% |
UHS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — ACHC and UHS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
UHS is the less volatile stock with a 0.60 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ACHC's 0.84 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ACHC currently trades 83.8% from its 52-week high vs UHS's 68.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ACHCAcadia Healthcare… | UHSUniversal Health … |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.84x | 0.60x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $30.20 | $246.33 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $11.43 | $152.33 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +83.8% | +68.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 46.1 | 35.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 3.3M | 791K |
Evenly matched — ACHC and UHS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ACHC as "Buy" and UHS as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 37.4% upside for UHS (target: $232) vs -7.1% for ACHC (target: $24). UHS is the only dividend payer here at 0.47% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ACHCAcadia Healthcare… | UHSUniversal Health … |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $23.50 | $231.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 25 | 43 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.80 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.1% | +9.2% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
UHS leads in 4 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics. 1 category is tied.
Best OverallUniversal Health Services, … (UHS)Leads 4 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
ACHC vs UHS: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ACHC or UHS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Universal Health Services, Inc.
(UHS) is the stronger pick with 9. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 0% for Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. (ACHC). Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) offers the better valuation at 7. 3x trailing P/E (7. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. (ACHC) a "Buy" — based on 25 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — ACHC or UHS?
On forward P/E, Universal Health Services, Inc.
is actually cheaper at 7. 2x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ACHC or UHS?
Over the past 5 years, Universal Health Services, Inc.
(UHS) delivered a total return of +11. 7%, compared to -60. 4% for Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. (ACHC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: UHS returned +30. 4% versus ACHC's -56. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — ACHC or UHS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Universal Health Services, Inc.
(UHS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 60β versus Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. 's 0. 84β — meaning ACHC is approximately 40% more volatile than UHS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 74% versus 124% for Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — ACHC or UHS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Universal Health Services, Inc.
(UHS) is pulling ahead at 9. 7% versus 5. 0% for Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. (ACHC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Universal Health Services, Inc. grew EPS 37. 3% year-over-year, compared to -537. 4% for Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, UHS leads at 9. 0% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — ACHC or UHS?
Universal Health Services, Inc.
(UHS) is the more profitable company, earning 8. 6% net margin versus -33. 3% for Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. — meaning it keeps 8. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ACHC leads at 11. 7% versus 11. 5% for UHS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — UHS leads at 90. 4%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is ACHC or UHS more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Universal Health Services, Inc.
(UHS) trades at 7. 2x forward P/E versus 17. 0x for Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. — 9. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for UHS: 37. 4% to $231. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — ACHC or UHS?
In this comparison, UHS (0.
5% yield) pays a dividend. ACHC does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is ACHC or UHS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Universal Health Services, Inc.
(UHS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 60)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (UHS: +30. 4%, ACHC: -56. 7%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between ACHC and UHS?
Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: ACHC is a small-cap quality compounder stock; UHS is a mid-cap deep-value stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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