HCA Healthcare Q1 EPS Forecast Decreased by Zacks Research

HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research reduced their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of HCA Healthcare in a report issued on Tuesday, February 10th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the company will earn $6.93 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $7.04. Zacks Research currently has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for HCA Healthcare’s current full-year earnings is $24.98 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for HCA Healthcare’s Q2 2026 earnings at $7.18 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $7.06 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $8.14 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $8.02 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $8.18 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $7.96 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $9.28 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $33.44 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $37.67 EPS.

A number of other research firms have also issued reports on HCA. Stephens boosted their price objective on HCA Healthcare from $450.00 to $500.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $525.00 to $555.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $525.00 to $598.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $452.00 to $481.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Argus increased their price objective on HCA Healthcare from $530.00 to $560.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Sixteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $523.27.

HCA Healthcare Trading Up 0.7%

HCA opened at $535.24 on Wednesday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $481.73 and a 200 day moving average of $446.85. HCA Healthcare has a 12 month low of $295.00 and a 12 month high of $552.90. The company has a market cap of $119.69 billion, a PE ratio of 18.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.36.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The company reported $8.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $7.37 by $0.64. The business had revenue of $19.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $19.67 billion. HCA Healthcare had a negative return on equity of 409.11% and a net margin of 8.97%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $6.22 EPS. HCA Healthcare has set its FY 2026 guidance at 29.100-31.500 EPS.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On HCA Healthcare

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Brighton Jones LLC bought a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the 4th quarter valued at $1,021,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in HCA Healthcare by 11.9% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 3,859 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,334,000 after acquiring an additional 409 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of HCA Healthcare by 5.5% during the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 630 shares of the company’s stock valued at $241,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL grew its stake in shares of HCA Healthcare by 5.0% in the 2nd quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 9,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,448,000 after buying an additional 425 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in HCA Healthcare by 4.3% in the second quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,235 shares of the company’s stock worth $856,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. 62.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Jennifer Berres sold 8,020 shares of HCA Healthcare stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $514.58, for a total transaction of $4,126,931.60. Following the sale, 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 sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Christopher F. Wyatt sold 4,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $505.00, for a total transaction of $2,020,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 44,379 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $22,411,395. This trade represents a 8.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 13,520 shares of company stock valued at $6,894,067. Company insiders own 1.30% of the company’s stock.

HCA Healthcare Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.78 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. This is a boost from HCA Healthcare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.72. HCA Healthcare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 10.15%.

More HCA Healthcare News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised FY-2026 EPS to $29.31 (from $28.47) and lifted multiple quarterly and multi‑year estimates (FY2027 to $33.44, FY2028 to $37.67), aligning analyst expectations with HCA’s FY2026 guidance and suggesting stronger forward profitability. Zacks remains at a “Hold” rating, but the higher estimates support valuation and earnings momentum. Zacks estimate changes (MarketBeat)
• Neutral Sentiment: HCA’s StoneSprings Hospital Center is planning to convert a Chantilly deli site into a freestanding emergency room — a local expansion that could modestly increase patient volumes and admissions in that market over time. HCA StoneSprings freestanding ER
• Neutral Sentiment: HCA-related ASC real estate was sold, a move that can free capital or change lease/operating dynamics for ambulatory surgery centers; the net effect depends on deal terms and use of proceeds. HCA ASC real estate sold
• Neutral Sentiment: Executive moves: a former HCA Florida executive joined Memorial Health as COO and an HCA veteran was named COO at Memorial Health in Georgia — routine industry leadership turnover that may have limited near‑term impact on HCA’s financials but is notable for regional competitive dynamics and management talent flow. Former HCA exec joins Memorial Health (MSN) HCA veteran named COO (Becker’s)

HCA Healthcare Company Profile

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.