National Health Investors (NHI) vs Universal Health Realty Income (UHT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Universal Health Realty Income (UHT) has outperformed National Health Investors (NHI) over the past year, gaining 0.1% versus a loss of 15.5%. Over five years, NHI leads with a +13.2% price change compared with -34.6% for UHT. National Health Investors is the larger company by market cap ($3.14 billion vs $518.3 million), about 6.1 times the size.
On valuation, National Health Investors trades at a lower trailing P/E (18.5x vs 26.8x for Universal Health Realty Income). Universal Health Realty Income offers the higher dividend yield (7.99% vs 5.75%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | NHI | UHT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $63.96 | $37.29 |
| Market cap | $3.14B | $518.28M |
| 1-day change | -2.41% | -0.35% |
| YTD return | -16.25% | -4.90% |
| 1-year return | -15.53% | +0.11% |
| 5-year return | +13.20% | -34.56% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 18.49 | 26.83 |
| Forward P/E | 19.70 | — |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.46 | $1.39 |
| Dividend yield | 5.75% | 7.99% |
| Annual dividend | $3.68 | $2.98 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $375.63M | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +12.07% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $142.18M | — |
| Net margin | 37.85% | — |
| 52-week high | $91.38 | $46.30 |
| 52-week low | $63.87 | $35.26 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -30.01% | -19.46% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +28.02% | +17.99% |
| Average volume | 376.95K | 115.99K |
| Shares outstanding | 49.11M | 13.90M |
| Employees | 32 | — |
| Sector | Real Estate | Real Estate |
| Industry | REIT - Healthcare Facilities | REIT - Healthcare Facilities |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- National Health Investors is about 6.1 times larger than Universal Health Realty Income by market value ($3.14B vs $518.28M).
- UHT has outperformed NHI by 15.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Universal Health Realty Income trades at a higher earnings multiple (26.8x vs 18.5x trailing P/E).
- Universal Health Realty Income offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (7.99% vs 5.75%).
About National Health Investors
NHI stock →National Health Investors, Inc. is a self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT).
Real Estate · REIT - Healthcare Facilities · 32 employees
About Universal Health Realty Income
UHT stock →Universal Health Realty Income Trust, a real estate investment trust, invests in healthcare and human service-related facilities including acute care hospitals, behavioral healthcare facilities, rehabilitation hospitals, sub-acute care facilities, surgery centers, childcare centers, and medical office buildings. The Trust has seventy-seven investments in twenty-one states.
Real Estate · REIT - Healthcare Facilities
NHI vs UHT FAQ
Which is bigger, National Health Investors or Universal Health Realty Income?
National Health Investors (NHI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.14B compared with $518.28M for Universal Health Realty Income (UHT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NHI or UHT?
UHT returned +0.11% over the past 12 months, compared with -15.53% for NHI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, NHI or UHT?
NHI has the lower trailing P/E at 18.5, versus 26.8 for UHT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, National Health Investors or Universal Health Realty Income?
Universal Health Realty Income has the higher yield at 7.99%, compared with 5.75% for National Health Investors.
Are National Health Investors and Universal Health Realty Income in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the REIT - Healthcare Facilities industry within the Real Estate sector.