HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) Shares Gap Up After Earnings Beat

Shares of HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) gapped up before the market opened on Tuesday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock had previously closed at $472.38, but opened at $505.00. HCA Healthcare shares last traded at $517.5850, with a volume of 746,310 shares trading hands.

The company reported $8.01 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $19.67 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $6.22 earnings per share. HCA Healthcare’s quarterly revenue 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 company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be given a dividend of $0.78 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. This is an increase from HCA Healthcare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.72. HCA Healthcare’s dividend payout ratio is currently 11.13%.

HCA Healthcare News Summary

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 Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on HCA. Leerink Partners boosted their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $470.00 to $507.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Mizuho raised their price target on HCA Healthcare from $505.00 to $520.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Bank of America increased their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $430.00 to $470.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Raymond James Financial set a $525.00 price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a “market perform” rating and issued a $503.00 price target on shares of HCA Healthcare in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, HCA Healthcare currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $488.75.

Insider Activity at HCA Healthcare

In related news, EVP Michael R. Mcalevey sold 3,892 shares of HCA Healthcare stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $473.79, for a total value of $1,843,990.68. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 3,487 shares in the company, valued at $1,652,105.73. The trade was a 52.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.30% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of HCA Healthcare

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of HCA. Capital World Investors increased its holdings in shares of HCA Healthcare by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 4,959,336 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,113,662,000 after acquiring an additional 179,443 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,152,408,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its position in HCA Healthcare by 1.8% during the third quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 2,065,225 shares of the company’s stock valued at $880,199,000 after acquiring an additional 36,414 shares during the last quarter. Viking Global Investors LP lifted its holdings in shares of HCA Healthcare by 58.5% during the 2nd quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 1,872,133 shares of the company’s stock valued at $717,214,000 after purchasing an additional 690,773 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc grew its stake in HCA Healthcare by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 1,124,511 shares of the company’s stock worth $479,267,000 after buying an additional 8,478 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.73% of the company’s stock.

HCA Healthcare Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of $115.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.57, a P/E/G ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 1.36. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $480.84 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $435.90.

HCA Healthcare Company Profile

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.