HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) Price Target Cut to $500.00 by Analysts at TD Cowen

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) had its price target reduced by TD Cowen from $561.00 to $500.00 in a report issued on Monday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They currently have a buy rating on the stock.

Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $525.00 target price on shares of HCA Healthcare in a report on Friday. Oppenheimer increased their price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare from $500.00 to $540.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $500.00 to $558.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Argus upped their target price on HCA Healthcare from $530.00 to $560.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald restated an “overweight” rating on shares of HCA Healthcare in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $523.09.

HCA Healthcare Stock Performance

HCA Healthcare stock opened at $446.38 on Monday. HCA Healthcare has a 1 year low of $326.14 and a 1 year high of $556.52. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $503.58 and a 200 day moving average price of $486.01. The company has a market cap of $99.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.35, a PEG ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 1.36.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 24th. The company reported $7.15 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $7.19 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $19.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.09 billion. HCA Healthcare had a negative return on equity of 295.93% and a net margin of 8.89%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up 4.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $6.45 earnings per share. HCA Healthcare has set its FY 2026 guidance at 29.100-31.500 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that HCA Healthcare will post 30.15 EPS for the current year.

HCA Healthcare Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 16th will be given a dividend of $0.78 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 16th. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. HCA Healthcare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 10.99%.

Insider Activity at HCA Healthcare

In other HCA Healthcare news, EVP Michael S. Cuffe sold 1,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $498.09, for a total transaction of $747,135.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 30,003 shares in the company, valued at $14,944,194.27. This represents a 4.76% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, SVP Jennifer Berres sold 8,020 shares of HCA Healthcare stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $514.58, for a total value of $4,126,931.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 11,993 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,171,357.94. The trade was a 40.07% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 15,214 shares of company stock valued at $7,797,595. 1.50% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Palisade Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in HCA Healthcare during the third quarter worth about $26,000. Holos Integrated Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC acquired a new position in HCA Healthcare during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in HCA Healthcare by 82.9% in 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 during the last quarter. Finally, JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare during the third quarter worth about $33,000. 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: Management reaffirmed FY2026 guidance and expects 2%–3% volume growth while acknowledging headwinds, which supports the company’s forward earnings outlook. HCA projects 2%-3% volume growth
• Positive Sentiment: HCA says improvements in its revenue‑cycle operations are boosting cash collections and helping offset rising denials/underpayments — a near‑term margin and cash‑flow positive. Revenue cycle paying dividends
• Positive Sentiment: Leadership hire: Cynthia Cifuentes‑Finkel will become SVP of Marketing & Corporate Affairs (effective June 8), adding senior marketing/communications capacity ahead of growth initiatives. HCA names new SVP
• Neutral Sentiment: Local operations: a new HCA Florida Gainesville hospital is preparing to open next month — incremental local growth but limited immediate impact on enterprise results. Gainesville hospital opening
• Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary pieces and index signals are discussing healthcare positioning; useful for macro context but not company‑specific catalysts. Market update
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple analysts reduced price targets and trimmed forecasts after Q1 results (despite an in‑line EPS), signaling more cautious near‑term sentiment. Firms lowering targets include Stephens, Oppenheimer, TD Cowen, Leerink, RBC and Truist. Analysts slash forecasts
• Negative Sentiment: Q1 dynamics: EPS roughly in‑line but seasonal volume softness, shifting payer mix and projected ACA/exchange pressures (company cites a $600M–$900M headwind range) are weighing on near‑term revenue and margin expectations. Q1 deep dive
• Negative Sentiment: Financing: HCA filed a proposed public offering of senior notes to raise proceeds for general corporate purposes (may include refinancing). New debt issuance could modestly pressure credit metrics depending on size and terms. Proposed senior notes offering

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.