HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Leerink Partners Analyst Says

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) had its target price lifted by analysts at Leerink Partners from $470.00 to $507.00 in a note issued to investors on Thursday,MarketScreener reports. The firm presently has an “outperform” rating on the stock. Leerink Partners’ price objective would indicate a potential upside of 8.08% from the stock’s previous close.

A number of other brokerages have also recently weighed in on HCA. Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $430.00 to $470.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Mizuho increased their price target on HCA Healthcare from $505.00 to $520.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of HCA Healthcare in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $482.00 to $525.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare from $380.00 to $490.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Fifteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $487.00.

HCA Healthcare Stock Down 3.0%

NYSE:HCA opened at $469.08 on Thursday. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $480.49 and its 200-day simple moving average is $430.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $107.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.13, a P/E/G ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.36. HCA Healthcare has a 12-month low of $295.00 and a 12-month high of $520.00.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The company reported $6.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.64 by $1.32. The firm had revenue of $19.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $18.55 billion. HCA Healthcare had a negative return on equity of 792.25% and a net margin of 8.53%.The company’s revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $4.90 earnings per share. HCA Healthcare has set its FY 2025 guidance at 27.000-28.000 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that HCA Healthcare will post 24.98 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Michael R. Mcalevey sold 3,892 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $473.79, for a total transaction of $1,843,990.68. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 3,487 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,652,105.73. This represents a 52.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.30% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On HCA Healthcare

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sovran Advisors LLC raised its position in HCA Healthcare by 1.0% during the third quarter. Sovran Advisors LLC now owns 2,278 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,063,000 after acquiring an additional 22 shares in the last quarter. Centerpoint Advisors LLC lifted its stake in HCA Healthcare by 11.0% in the 3rd quarter. Centerpoint Advisors LLC now owns 222 shares of the company’s stock valued at $95,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC increased its position in HCA Healthcare by 3.9% during the third quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC now owns 590 shares of the company’s stock worth $251,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of HCA Healthcare by 2.4% in the third quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,014 shares of the company’s stock valued at $432,000 after buying an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. Finally, One Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of HCA Healthcare by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. One Capital Management LLC now owns 2,250 shares of the company’s stock worth $959,000 after acquiring an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. 62.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Key HCA Healthcare News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Leerink Partners raised its price target on HCA to $507 and kept an “outperform” rating, signaling analyst confidence in HCA’s earnings trajectory and providing a near-term valuation upside catalyst. Leerink Partners lifts price target on HCA Healthcare to $507
• Positive Sentiment: HCA plans to operate 81 freestanding emergency departments in Florida by the end of Q1, reflecting measurable expansion of outpatient / ED capacity that can drive admissions and higher-margin volumes. HCA to have 81 freestanding EDs in Florida by end of Q1
• Positive Sentiment: Regional partnership expansion in Tennessee positions HCA for market share and referral network growth in a fast-growing region. These deals support medium-term revenue expansion without full hospital acquisitions. Tennessee systems to deepen partnership as HCA eyes growth in region
• Neutral Sentiment: HCA promoted Erica Rossitto to chief nurse executive (effective Feb. 1), strengthening nursing leadership for HCA’s 100,000+ nurses — governance/operational news that supports execution but is not an immediate earnings driver. HCA Healthcare Names Erica Rossitto as Chief Nurse Executive
• Neutral Sentiment: Local executive moves (interim chief nurse at an HCA Missouri hospital and other chief nursing appointments) are operational-level items with limited near-term market impact. HCA Missouri hospital names interim chief nurse
• Neutral Sentiment: Third-party health-tech and regional care updates (Medical City Plano CFO change, Memorial Health CT adoption) mentioned in the newsfeed are industry context but not direct HCA drivers. Healthcare Briefs: Medical City Plano’s New CFO and Cariloop’s Partnership With Raymond James
• Negative Sentiment: L1 Capital trimmed its HCA position, citing share-price appreciation; portfolio selling from a notable fund can create near-term supply pressure and contribute to today’s down move. L1 Capital Trimmed HCA Healthcare Due to Share Price Appreciation

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.