Michael Mcalevey Sells 1,694 Shares of HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) Stock

HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) EVP Michael Mcalevey sold 1,694 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $533.37, for a total transaction of $903,528.78. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 8,853 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,721,924.61. The trade was a 16.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

HCA Healthcare Stock Down 1.3%

Shares of NYSE HCA opened at $527.86 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $118.04 billion, a PE ratio of 18.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 1.36. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $487.04 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $453.28. HCA Healthcare, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $295.00 and a fifty-two week high of $552.90.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) last issued its quarterly 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. The business had revenue of $19.51 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.67 billion. HCA Healthcare had a net margin of 8.97% and a negative return on equity of 409.11%. The business’s revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $6.22 earnings per share. HCA Healthcare has set its FY 2026 guidance at 29.100-31.500 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that HCA Healthcare, Inc. will post 24.98 earnings per share for the current year.

HCA Healthcare Increases Dividend

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

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Palisade Asset Management LLC bought a new position in HCA Healthcare in the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. Clearstead Trust LLC increased its stake 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 period. Holos Integrated Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in HCA Healthcare in the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC bought a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare in the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in HCA Healthcare by 82.9% during the third quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 75 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 34 shares in the last quarter. 62.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Stories Impacting HCA Healthcare

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

• Positive Sentiment: Opened additional freestanding ERs in Florida (St. Augustine / Shoppes at Mission Trace), supporting growth in outpatient/ER revenue and lower‑cost care migration. Becker’s: HCA opens 2nd freestanding ER in Florida county
• Positive Sentiment: Subsidiary acquisition of a cardiothoracic & vascular physician group should boost referrals and capture higher‑margin surgical volumes. Becker’s: HCA subsidiary acquires cardiothoracic, vascular physician group
• Positive Sentiment: Company participation in EHR unification initiatives could reduce IT/ops costs and improve billing/care coordination, supporting margins longer term. Becker’s: Why Northwell, HCA and UPMC are betting big on EHR unification
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst and style coverage (including Zacks, Kalkine, and recent price target increases from firms like Deutsche Bank) highlight HCA as a value/momentum name and note dividend/earnings strength, which can attract flows. Zacks: Here’s Why HCA Healthcare is a Strong Value Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Company raised its quarterly dividend and several brokers updated targets/ratings; supportive fundamentals but unlikely to move price sharply without fresh guidance. MarketBeat: HCA dividend & analyst notes
• Neutral Sentiment: Community/CSR activity and broader market momentum articles provide positive narrative but limited near‑term financial impact. Post and Courier: HCA marks National Wear Red Day
• Negative Sentiment: An HCA executive (EVP Michael R. McAlevey) sold 1,694 shares (~$903k), trimming his position ~16% — an insider sale can create short‑term negative sentiment even if the company cites routine reasons. SEC filing: Insider sale
• Negative Sentiment: Opinion piece raising safety concerns at Mission Hospital could amplify regulatory or reputational risk perceptions and pressure sentiment until clarified. MSN: Opinion on Mission Hospital safety issues

Analyst Ratings Changes

HCA has been the subject of a number of research reports. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare from $494.00 to $551.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare from $525.00 to $555.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on HCA Healthcare from $535.00 to $590.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Truist Financial raised their price target on HCA Healthcare from $520.00 to $546.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein set a $541.00 target price on HCA Healthcare in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, HCA Healthcare has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $523.27.

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.