Brokers Set Expectations for HCA Healthcare FY2026 Earnings

HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research upped their FY2026 earnings estimates for shares of HCA Healthcare in a research note issued on Tuesday, February 10th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the company will earn $29.31 per share for the year, up from their prior estimate of $28.47. Zacks Research has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for HCA Healthcare’s current full-year earnings is $24.98 per share.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The company reported $8.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $7.37 by $0.64. HCA Healthcare had a net margin of 8.97% and a negative return on equity of 409.11%. The company had revenue of $19.51 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $19.67 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $6.22 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. HCA Healthcare has set its FY 2026 guidance at 29.100-31.500 EPS.

A number of other research firms have also commented on HCA. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on HCA Healthcare from $500.00 to $558.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $423.00 to $450.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Leerink Partners raised their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $507.00 to $573.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Oppenheimer increased their price target on HCA Healthcare from $500.00 to $540.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on HCA Healthcare from $520.00 to $558.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $523.27.

HCA Healthcare Stock Performance

HCA stock opened at $535.24 on Thursday. HCA Healthcare has a 1 year low of $295.00 and a 1 year high of $552.90. The firm has a market cap of $119.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.86, a PEG ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.36. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $481.73 and its 200 day moving average price is $446.85.

HCA Healthcare Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be given a dividend of $0.78 per share. This is a boost from HCA Healthcare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.72. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. HCA Healthcare’s dividend payout ratio is currently 10.15%.

Insider Buying and Selling at HCA Healthcare

In other HCA Healthcare news, SVP Christopher F. Wyatt sold 4,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $505.00, for a total transaction of $2,020,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 44,379 shares in the company, valued at $22,411,395. The trade was a 8.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Jennifer Berres sold 8,020 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $514.58, for a total transaction of $4,126,931.60. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 11,993 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,171,357.94. This trade represents a 40.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 13,520 shares of company stock valued at $6,894,067 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 1.30% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On HCA Healthcare

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Holos Integrated Wealth LLC acquired a new position in HCA Healthcare in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Palisade Asset Management LLC bought a new position in HCA Healthcare during the 3rd quarter worth $26,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC bought a new stake in HCA Healthcare in the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. Clearstead Trust LLC increased its holdings in shares of HCA Healthcare by 311.8% in the 2nd quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 70 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the period. Finally, MCF Advisors LLC boosted its stake in HCA Healthcare by 213.0% during the 4th quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 72 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares during the period. 62.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Headlines Impacting HCA Healthcare

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised FY-2026 EPS to $29.31 (from $28.47) and lifted multiple quarterly and multi‑year estimates (FY2027 to $33.44, FY2028 to $37.67), aligning analyst expectations with HCA’s FY2026 guidance and suggesting stronger forward profitability. Zacks remains at a “Hold” rating, but the higher estimates support valuation and earnings momentum. Zacks estimate changes (MarketBeat)
• Neutral Sentiment: HCA’s StoneSprings Hospital Center is planning to convert a Chantilly deli site into a freestanding emergency room — a local expansion that could modestly increase patient volumes and admissions in that market over time. HCA StoneSprings freestanding ER
• Neutral Sentiment: HCA-related ASC real estate was sold, a move that can free capital or change lease/operating dynamics for ambulatory surgery centers; the net effect depends on deal terms and use of proceeds. HCA ASC real estate sold
• Neutral Sentiment: Executive moves: a former HCA Florida executive joined Memorial Health as COO and an HCA veteran was named COO at Memorial Health in Georgia — routine industry leadership turnover that may have limited near‑term impact on HCA’s financials but is notable for regional competitive dynamics and management talent flow. Former HCA exec joins Memorial Health (MSN) HCA veteran named COO (Becker’s)

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.