HCA (NYSE:HCA) was upgraded by equities researchers at Citigroup from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, MarketBeat.com reports.
A number of other analysts have also issued reports on HCA. Argus cut their price target on shares of HCA from $100.00 to $93.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 14th. Robert W. Baird reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of HCA in a research note on Thursday, September 28th. ValuEngine upgraded shares of HCA from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. BMO Capital Markets began coverage on shares of HCA in a research note on Monday, October 16th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $90.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $90.00 price target on shares of HCA in a research note on Thursday, October 19th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and nineteen have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. HCA presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $90.20.
Shares of HCA (HCA) traded up $2.30 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $88.46. 3,810,000 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,520,000. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of -6.46, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 1.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $31,960.00, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.42, a PEG ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 0.55. HCA has a one year low of $71.18 and a one year high of $91.03.
In related news, SVP Victor L. Campbell sold 8,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.82, for a total value of $606,560.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 127,275 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $9,649,990.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Michael S. Cuffe sold 2,150 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.00, for a total value of $167,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 12,476 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $973,128. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 20,300 shares of company stock worth $1,565,960 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 2.90% of the company’s stock.
A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in HCA. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its holdings in HCA by 14.0% in the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,163 shares of the company’s stock valued at $101,000 after purchasing an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. Bronfman E.L. Rothschild L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of HCA by 35.1% in the second quarter. Bronfman E.L. Rothschild L.P. now owns 1,232 shares of the company’s stock valued at $107,000 after acquiring an additional 320 shares during the period. Atlantic Trust LLC acquired a new stake in shares of HCA in the second quarter valued at approximately $118,000. Acrospire Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of HCA by 14.3% in the second quarter. Acrospire Investment Management LLC now owns 1,600 shares of the company’s stock valued at $140,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. Finally, BB&T Investment Services Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of HCA in the second quarter valued at approximately $141,000. 75.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
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HCA Company Profile
HCA Healthcare, Inc, formerly HCA Holdings, Inc, is a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates hospitals and related healthcare entities. As of December 31, 2016, the Company operated in two geographically organized groups, including the National and American Groups. As of December 31, 2016, the National Group included 84 hospitals, which were located in Alaska, California, Florida, southern Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, northern Kentucky, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Utah and Virginia.
