HCA Healthcare, IncNYSE: HCA
Health Care · Health Care Facilities
$433.86
-0.14%
Vol: 689K
Research Digest
Friday, May 1, 2026
HCA completes $3B senior notes offering; Q1 2026 adj EPS up 11% but stock fell 8% on cautious outlook.
HCA Healthcare completed $3B senior unsecured notes offering on April 30, 2026 (notes maturing 2031, 2033, 2036). Q1 2026 results showed 4% revenue growth to $19.1B and 11% adjusted EPS growth to $7.15 per share. Stock fell 8% on cautious outlook. BofA lowered PT to $480 from $540, RBC Capital cut PT citing volume weakness. Presenting at RBC Global Healthcare Conference May 20.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysApr 30HCA Healthcare Q1 2026 earnings beat with 11% EPS growth but stock fell 8.8% due to surgical volume declines and challenging guidance.Mixed▶
HCA Healthcare reported Q1 2026 revenues of $19.1B (4.3% growth) and net income of $1.62B (0.6% growth), with diluted EPS increasing 10.9% to $7.15. The company reaffirmed 2026 guidance for 6–9% core growth and repurchased 3.157M shares at $1.571B cost. However, same-facility inpatient surgeries declined 0.3% and outpatient surgeries fell 1.7%, prompting analyst concern that the reaffirmed guidance appears increasingly challenging. RBC Capital lowered its price target citing volume weakness. Despite the 8.8% post-earnings decline, 20 analysts maintain a Buy rating with average $511.84 target (18.5% upside).
Apr 16TD Cowen raises PT to $561; hurricane impact $200-300M; Q1 earnings April 24Mixed▶
HCA Healthcare faces $200-300M financial impact from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, reducing 2026 profit guidance. TD Cowen raised PT from $529 to $561, maintaining Buy rating. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated Overweight at $588. Baird lowered PT to $442 from $450. Q1 earnings due April 24, with consensus EPS $7.19 (+11.5% YoY). 2025 revenue grew 7.08% to $75.6B. Stock down 1-month despite strong fundamentals due to hurricane cost headwinds. Near-term sentiment pressured but analysts maintain constructive stance.
Apr 15HCA Healthcare releases 2026 Impact Report; Q1 earnings expected April 24 despite hurricane headwinds.Mixed▶
HCA Healthcare released its 2026 Impact Report on April 10, highlighting 47 million patient encounters through 190 hospitals and 2,500 outpatient facilities. The company announced a $200 million expansion at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and appointed Jennifer Bocker as Capital Division Chief Medical Officer. However, HCA reported a projected $200-$300 million financial impact from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, reducing full-year profit guidance. Q1 2026 earnings are expected April 24 with analysts forecasting $7.19 diluted EPS (+11.5% YoY).
Apr 14Q4 2025 EPS up 44.6% to $8.14; FY26 guidance $29.10-$31.50; named 2026 World's Most Ethical Company.Positive▶
HCA Healthcare reported strong Q4 2025 results with revenues of $19.513 billion (up 6.7%), net income of $1.878 billion (up 30.6%), and diluted EPS of $8.14 (up 44.6%). FY26 guidance: revenues $76.5B-$80.0B, EBITDA $15.55B-$16.45B, EPS $29.10-$31.50. Board authorized $10B additional repurchase program. Q1 FY26 earnings expected April 24 with $7.19 EPS forecast.
Apr 13HCA Healthcare reports Q1 2026 earnings on April 24 with 11.5% YoY EPS growth expected amid strong clinical quality recognition.Positive▶
HCA Healthcare released its 2026 Impact Report highlighting 47 million patient encounters across 190 hospitals and 2,500 outpatient facilities in 2025. Forty-four HCA hospitals earned spots on Healthgrades' 250 Best Hospitals lists (top 5% nationally). The company achieved a 33-minute median door-to-needle time for stroke patients (45% faster than national benchmark). Q1 results are expected April 24 with consensus EPS of $7.19 (up 11.5% YoY).
Apr 10HCA Healthcare launches ambulance service and reports strong Q1 earnings outlook ahead of April 24 results.Positive▶
HCA Healthcare launched an interfacility transport service in the Lowcountry on April 9, deploying four advanced ambulances between freestanding ERs and hospital facilities. HCA Florida Lawnwood marked expansion milestone with final beam placement on new fifth-floor tower adding 32 patient beds. The company is set to report Q1 earnings on April 24 with analyst consensus EPS estimate of $7.19, an 11.5% year-over-year increase. Annual shareholder meeting scheduled for April 23, 2026.
Apr 9HCA Healthcare reports Q4 2025 beat with robust FY 2026 guidance boosting analyst sentimentPositive▶
HCA Healthcare reported Q4 2025 EPS of $8.01, exceeding estimates by $0.64, with full-year 2025 trailing EPS reaching $23.79. The company issued strong FY 2026 guidance: revenue of $75.0-76.5 billion, Adjusted EBITDA of $15.55B-$16.45B, and EPS of $29.10-$31.50, drawing institutional investor optimism. HCA's Board authorized an additional $10 billion share repurchase program and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.78 per share. The company is executing a multi-pronged strategy connecting executive incentives, hospital expansion (600-700 beds annually), AI adoption, and new service lines targeting underserved patients. Q1 2026 earnings are expected April 24 with forecasted diluted EPS of $7.19, a 11.5% YoY increase.
Apr 8HCA Healthcare Q4 results beat expectations; Q1 earnings April 24 with strong YoY growth forecastPositive▶
HCA Healthcare reported strong Q4 2025 results with revenues increasing 6.7% to $19.513 billion, net income up 30.6% to $1.878 billion, and diluted EPS up 44.6% to $8.14. Full-year 2025 revenues totaled $75.6 billion with net income of $6.784 billion. The company is set to report Q1 2026 earnings on April 24, with analysts forecasting $7.19 EPS, representing 11.5% YoY growth. Same-facility admissions increased 2.4% in Q4 2025. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an Overweight rating with PT of $588, and TD Cowen raised its PT to $561.
Apr 7HCA raises 2026 EPS guidance to $29.10-$31.50; authorizes $10B buyback program; Q1 results April 24Positive▶
HCA Healthcare reported record $6.78B net income for 2025 with 19 consecutive quarters of volume growth. Q4 2025 adjusted EPS of $8.01 beat consensus by 7.4%. The company raised 2026 full-year EPS guidance to $29.10-$31.50 and authorized a new $10B share repurchase program, with majority expected in 2026. The board increased the quarterly dividend from $0.72 to $0.78. HCA has fallen 15% from 52-week high of $556.52 due to ACA exchange enrollment concerns and Medicaid payment delays. Q1 2026 earnings on April 24 will provide first hard data on ACA effectuation rates.
Apr 6HCA Healthcare forecasts 2026 profit above Wall Street estimates on lower costs and robust demandPositive▶
HCA Healthcare forecasted 2026 profit above Wall Street estimates driven by lower costs and robust medical care demand. Shares up 40% over past year with strong earnings and aggressive buybacks. 2025 revenue up 7.08% to $75.60B with earnings up 17.78% to $6.78B. Q1 FY2026 earnings expected with analysts projecting 11.5% increase in diluted EPS. Company recognized as one of 2026 World's Most Ethical Companies. 21 analysts rate stock Buy with $510.21 target.
Apr 3HCA Healthcare announces $2 million grant to Second Harvest Food Bank; supported by strong analyst upgrades and 2026 guidance confidence.Positive▶
HCA Healthcare announced April 1, 2026 that the HCA Healthcare Foundation is awarding $2 million to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. The company kicked off its annual volunteer initiative with over 12,500 colleagues volunteering 39,000 hours in 2025. HCA's 2026 annual shareholder meeting set for April 23 virtually. Multiple analysts raised price targets: Cantor Fitzgerald ($588), TD Cowen ($561), UBS ($635).
Apr 2HCA Healthcare provides strong FY2026 guidance of $29.10-$31.50 EPS; Q1 earnings due April 24.Positive▶
HCA Healthcare delivered Q4 2025 results with 6.7% revenue growth to $19.513B and 30.6% net income growth to $1.878B. The company issued strong FY2026 EPS guidance of $29.10-$31.50, well above consensus, signaling confidence in sustained growth. HCA announced a $2 million grant to Second Harvest Food Bank and recognized 92 hospitals with 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Awards. The company was named one of 2026 World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere, marking the 16th recognition. Q1 FY2026 earnings are scheduled for April 24 before market open; analysts expect $7.19 EPS (up 11.5% from $6.45). Consensus rating is Moderate Buy with $548.57 price target (15.5% upside).
Apr 1HCA Healthcare posts strong Q3 2025 results with 42.6% EPS growth; maintains robust outlook amid insider selling.Positive▶
HCA Healthcare reported Q3 2025 revenues of $19.161 billion (9.6% YoY increase) and diluted EPS of $6.96 (up 42.6%). Net income increased 29.4% to $1.643 billion with Adjusted EBITDA up 18.5%. TD Cowen raised price target to $561 from $529, calling CMS approval of Georgia Medicaid expansion encouraging.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HCAHCA | $433.86 | -0.14% | -10.2% | 13.1x | 1.37 | $96.7B |
| UHSUNIVERSAL | $167.35 | -0.55% | -7.2% | 6.6x | 1.29 | $10.3B |
| LLYELI | $964.50 | +3.20% | +0.8% | 22.2x | 0.50 | $834.9B |
| JNJJOHNSON | $227.78 | -0.90% | -4.6% | 18.1x | 0.33 | $553.3B |
| ABBVABBVIE | $207.05 | -2.02% | +2.2% | 13.1x | — | $373.8B |
| UNHUNITEDHEALTH | $370.09 | -0.11% | +31.7% | 17.9x | 0.41 | $336.5B |
Key Fundamentals
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52-Week Range
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Price below 200d MA — bearish structure.