HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) Reaches New 52-Week High Following Better-Than-Expected Earnings

Shares of HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The stock traded as high as $527.55 and last traded at $506.2920, with a volume of 3082016 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $472.38.

The company reported $8.01 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $7.37 by $0.64. The business had revenue of $19.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.67 billion. HCA Healthcare had a net margin of 8.53% and a negative return on equity of 792.25%. The business’s revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $6.22 EPS. HCA Healthcare has set its FY 2026 guidance at 29.100-31.500 EPS.

HCA Healthcare Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.78 per share. This is a positive change from HCA Healthcare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.72. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $3.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. HCA Healthcare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 11.13%.

Key Headlines Impacting HCA Healthcare

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 EPS beat and solid operational performance: HCA reported $8.01 EPS vs. consensus ~ $7.37, driven by strong patient volumes and higher revenue per equivalent admission—this beat is the primary catalyst for the rally. HCA Healthcare (HCA) Beats Q4 Earnings Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Big capital returns: HCA raised the quarterly dividend ~8.3% to $0.78 and authorized an additional $10 billion for buybacks — increases near-term shareholder cash returns and supports the stock. HCA Healthcare Raises Dividend by 8.3%, Adds $10 Billion to Stock Buyback
• Positive Sentiment: FY2026 profit outlook and cost savings: Management reiterated FY2026 EPS guidance (29.10–31.50) roughly in line with Street and outlined a $400M cost-savings plan that it says will boost profit—supporting forward earnings expectations. HCA Healthcare forecasts 2026 profit above estimates on medical care services demand
• Neutral Sentiment: Revenue slightly missed estimates: Q4 revenue was $19.51B vs. the ~$19.67B consensus—top-line growth was positive (+6.7% YoY) but slightly below Street expectations, which tempers the beat. HCA Healthcare earnings press release / transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Management says it can navigate policy uncertainty, but the outlook depends on execution and payer developments. Why HCA says it can navigate 2026 policy uncertainty
• Negative Sentiment: Policy headwinds: HCA flagged roughly a $1 billion hit tied to the loss of ACA premium tax credit flow-through and Medicaid changes—this is a material near-term headwind to revenue/margins. HCA expects $1 billion hit from loss of ACA tax credits, Medicaid changes
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst caution on valuation and margin sustainability: Some analysts warn margins may be peaking and HCA’s valuation now reflects much of the improvement, noting downside risk if policy pressures or margin compression accelerate. HCA Healthcare: A Booming Buyback But Risks Loom (Downgrade)

Analyst Ratings Changes

HCA has been the subject of several analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of HCA Healthcare in a report on Monday, December 29th. Morgan Stanley cut HCA Healthcare from an “equal weight” rating to an “underweight” rating and set a $425.00 target price for the company. in a report on Monday, December 15th. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on HCA Healthcare from $423.00 to $450.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an “overweight” rating on shares of HCA Healthcare in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on HCA Healthcare from $495.00 to $525.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $488.75.

Insider Activity

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On HCA Healthcare

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HCA. Brighton Jones LLC acquired a new position in HCA Healthcare during the 4th quarter worth about $1,021,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its holdings in HCA Healthcare by 11.9% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 3,859 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,334,000 after purchasing an additional 409 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of HCA Healthcare by 5.5% during the 2nd quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 630 shares of the company’s stock valued at $241,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares in the last quarter. Dakota Wealth Management raised its holdings in shares of HCA Healthcare by 8.0% during the second quarter. Dakota Wealth Management now owns 690 shares of the company’s stock worth $264,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares during the period. Finally, ORG Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of HCA Healthcare by 27.9% during the second quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 142 shares of the company’s stock worth $55,000 after buying an additional 31 shares during the period. 62.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

HCA Healthcare Stock Performance

The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $480.84 and its 200 day simple moving average is $435.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $115.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.57, a PEG ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 1.36.

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.