HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) Stock Price Expected to Rise, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Analyst Says

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) had its price target raised by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $420.00 to $535.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, MarketBeat reports. The firm presently has a “neutral” rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.‘s target price suggests a potential upside of 0.38% from the stock’s current price.

A number of other research firms also recently issued reports on HCA. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $494.00 to $551.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on HCA Healthcare from $535.00 to $590.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on HCA Healthcare from $452.00 to $481.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Stephens raised their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $450.00 to $500.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, TD Cowen reissued a “buy” rating on shares of HCA Healthcare in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, HCA Healthcare presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $530.77.

HCA Healthcare Trading Up 0.8%

Shares of HCA stock opened at $532.98 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $488.01 and a 200-day simple moving average of $455.09. HCA Healthcare has a 12-month low of $295.00 and a 12-month high of $552.90. The company has a market cap of $119.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.36.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The company reported $8.01 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $7.37 by $0.64. The company had revenue of $19.51 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.67 billion. HCA Healthcare had a negative return on equity of 409.11% and a net margin of 8.97%.HCA Healthcare’s quarterly revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $6.22 earnings per share. HCA Healthcare has set its FY 2026 guidance at 29.100-31.500 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that HCA Healthcare will post 24.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at HCA Healthcare

In other HCA Healthcare news, SVP Jennifer Berres sold 8,020 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $514.58, for a total transaction of $4,126,931.60. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 11,993 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,171,357.94. This trade represents a 40.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Christopher F. Wyatt sold 4,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $505.00, for a total value of $2,020,000.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 44,379 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $22,411,395. The trade was a 8.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last three months, insiders sold 15,214 shares of company stock worth $7,797,595. 1.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On HCA Healthcare

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Holos Integrated Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in HCA Healthcare in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Palisade Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC purchased a new position in HCA Healthcare in the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Clearstead Trust LLC lifted its position in shares of HCA Healthcare by 311.8% during the second quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 70 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MCF Advisors LLC grew its holdings 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 in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.73% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting HCA Healthcare

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

• Positive Sentiment: HCA is expanding emergency access through local partnerships and new freestanding ERs, which can increase lower‑acuity, higher‑margin volumes and outpatient revenue. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: HCA opened a new ER site (Shoppes at Mission Trace) — incremental access points support ambulatory/ER growth. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst and momentum coverage is favorable: Zacks highlights HCA as a momentum name and JPMorgan raised its price target to $535 (neutral rating but higher target), both of which can attract investor flows. Read More. — Read More.
• Neutral Sentiment: Local human‑interest/community health stories (neonatal success, suicide‑prevention grant) are positive for brand but unlikely to move the stock materially. Read More. — Read More.
• Neutral Sentiment: Leadership moves (new chief nurse in Houston; four new leaders in Alaska) are operational/clinic-level changes that support execution but are not major catalysts on their own. Read More. — Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: A nurse sued HCA Florida Palms West Hospital and a security company after a violent patient attack — litigation and safety concerns can raise reputational risk and potential costs. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Critical opinion pieces highlight continued safety concerns at Mission Hospital; sustained negative media about safety can pressure sentiment and invite regulatory/survey scrutiny. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling disclosed: EVP Michael McAlevey sold ~1,694 shares (~$903K). While single insider sales often reflect personal liquidity, markets sometimes view such moves as a minor negative signal. Read More.

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.