HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) Reaches New 12-Month High on Better-Than-Expected Earnings

HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA)’s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The company traded as high as $527.55 and last traded at $506.2920, with a volume of 3082016 shares. The stock had previously closed at $472.38.

The company reported $8.01 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $7.37 by $0.64. HCA Healthcare had a net margin of 8.53% and a negative return on equity of 792.25%. The company had revenue of $19.51 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.67 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $6.22 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. HCA Healthcare has set its FY 2026 guidance at 29.100-31.500 EPS.

HCA Healthcare Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be paid a $0.78 dividend. This is an increase from HCA Healthcare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.72. This represents a $3.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. HCA Healthcare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 11.13%.

Trending Headlines about HCA Healthcare

Here are the key news stories impacting HCA Healthcare this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 EPS beat and solid operational performance: HCA reported $8.01 EPS vs. consensus ~ $7.37, driven by strong patient volumes and higher revenue per equivalent admission—this beat is the primary catalyst for the rally. HCA Healthcare (HCA) Beats Q4 Earnings Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Big capital returns: HCA raised the quarterly dividend ~8.3% to $0.78 and authorized an additional $10 billion for buybacks — increases near-term shareholder cash returns and supports the stock. HCA Healthcare Raises Dividend by 8.3%, Adds $10 Billion to Stock Buyback
• Positive Sentiment: FY2026 profit outlook and cost savings: Management reiterated FY2026 EPS guidance (29.10–31.50) roughly in line with Street and outlined a $400M cost-savings plan that it says will boost profit—supporting forward earnings expectations. HCA Healthcare forecasts 2026 profit above estimates on medical care services demand
• Neutral Sentiment: Revenue slightly missed estimates: Q4 revenue was $19.51B vs. the ~$19.67B consensus—top-line growth was positive (+6.7% YoY) but slightly below Street expectations, which tempers the beat. HCA Healthcare earnings press release / transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Management says it can navigate policy uncertainty, but the outlook depends on execution and payer developments. Why HCA says it can navigate 2026 policy uncertainty
• Negative Sentiment: Policy headwinds: HCA flagged roughly a $1 billion hit tied to the loss of ACA premium tax credit flow-through and Medicaid changes—this is a material near-term headwind to revenue/margins. HCA expects $1 billion hit from loss of ACA tax credits, Medicaid changes
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst caution on valuation and margin sustainability: Some analysts warn margins may be peaking and HCA’s valuation now reflects much of the improvement, noting downside risk if policy pressures or margin compression accelerate. HCA Healthcare: A Booming Buyback But Risks Loom (Downgrade)

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on HCA. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on HCA Healthcare from $431.00 to $452.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of HCA Healthcare in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $525.00 to $535.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of HCA Healthcare in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of HCA Healthcare from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, October 25th. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, HCA Healthcare presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $488.75.

Insider Activity at HCA Healthcare

In other HCA Healthcare news, EVP Michael R. Mcalevey sold 3,892 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $473.79, for a total transaction of $1,843,990.68. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 3,487 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,652,105.73. This trade represents a 52.74% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 1.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On HCA Healthcare

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of HCA. Holos Integrated Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Palisade Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the third quarter worth about $26,000. Chung Wu Investment Group LLC purchased a new position in HCA Healthcare in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Clearstead Trust LLC raised its holdings in shares of HCA Healthcare by 311.8% during the second quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 70 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare in the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.73% of the company’s stock.

HCA Healthcare Trading Up 7.2%

The company has a market cap of $115.53 billion, a PE ratio of 19.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 1.36. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $480.84 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $435.90.

About HCA Healthcare

HCA Healthcare is a for‑profit operator of healthcare facilities headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1968, the company owns and operates a network of hospitals and related healthcare facilities and has grown through organic expansion and acquisitions to become a large provider of inpatient and outpatient services.

The company’s core activities include the operation of acute care hospitals, freestanding surgical and emergency centers, and outpatient clinics. HCA’s services encompass inpatient care, surgical services, emergency medicine, diagnostic imaging and laboratory testing, and various outpatient and ambulatory care offerings.