The gain on Wednesday ended a three-day losing streak as the S&P 500 rose 1.46% and the Dow added 1.24% in a broadly stronger market.
UHS closed 31.60% below its 52-week high of $246.33 reached on 26 November, while trading volume of 1.1 million topped its 50-day average of 822,353.
Among peers, Select Medical slipped 0.06%, Community Health Systems rose 1.77%, and Pediatrix Medical Group climbed 6.63%, leaving UHS with a mixed competitive showing.
Can a $835M virtual care bet solve UHS's real-world staffing and cost crises?
As nimbler rivals soar, is UHS's capital-intensive hospital model becoming obsolete in the new healthcare economy?