HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) Stock Price Up 4.2% After Earnings Beat

HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA)’s stock price rose 4.2% on Friday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The company traded as high as $392.13 and last traded at $392.2950. Approximately 195,252 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 85% from the average session volume of 1,321,555 shares. The stock had previously closed at $376.50.

The company reported $7.59 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $7.56 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $20.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.76 billion. HCA Healthcare had a net margin of 8.89% and a negative return on equity of 295.93%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $6.84 earnings per share.

Key HCA Healthcare News

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

• Positive Sentiment: HCA beat Q2 earnings estimates, reporting $7.59 per share versus expectations around $7.56-$7.57, while revenue rose 8.7% year over year to $20.23 billion and also topped estimates. HCA Healthcare earnings report
• Positive Sentiment: Management cited strong admissions and higher revenue per admission as key drivers of the quarter, suggesting healthy demand trends across its hospital network. Zacks article on HCA Q2 results
• Neutral Sentiment: HCA said its updated guidance is consistent with its earlier preview, so the quarter appears to confirm previously signaled results rather than deliver a major surprise. BusinessWire Q2 results
• Negative Sentiment: The company trimmed parts of its 2026 outlook, pointing to higher expenses and weaker surgical volumes as headwinds that could limit margin expansion. Zacks guidance revision article
• Negative Sentiment: Separate investor-law-firm investigations into HCA may add some legal overhang, though these notices are not operational results. Pomerantz investor alert

Analyst Ratings Changes

HCA has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded HCA Healthcare from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, May 2nd. TD Cowen cut their price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare from $500.00 to $431.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 22nd. Oppenheimer lowered their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $540.00 to $520.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 27th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on HCA Healthcare from $450.00 to $442.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 15th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group set a $450.00 target price on HCA Healthcare in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $483.45.

Institutional Trading of HCA Healthcare

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of HCA. State Street Corp boosted its stake in shares of HCA Healthcare by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,566,643 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,532,563,000 after acquiring an additional 76,039 shares during the period. Capital World Investors boosted its position in HCA Healthcare by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 4,999,422 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,334,040,000 after purchasing an additional 40,086 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of HCA Healthcare by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,663,705 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,702,738,000 after buying an additional 13,565 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in HCA Healthcare in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,262,513,000. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its position in HCA Healthcare by 11.9% during the fourth quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 2,311,112 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,078,966,000 after acquiring an additional 245,887 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 62.73% of the company’s stock.

HCA Healthcare Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $84.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.12. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $386.95 and a 200 day moving average price of $453.73.

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.