Zacks Research Predicts Stronger Earnings for HCA Healthcare

HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research boosted their FY2026 EPS estimates for shares of HCA Healthcare in a research report issued on Wednesday, November 11th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the company will earn $30.00 per share for the year, up from their prior forecast of $29.40. The consensus estimate for HCA Healthcare’s current full-year earnings is $30.15 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for HCA Healthcare’s Q4 2026 earnings at $8.04 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $7.36 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $7.63 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $7.35 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $8.53 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $30.87 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $8.06 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $8.16 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $8.66 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $33.98 EPS.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 27th. The company reported $7.22 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.65 by $0.57. HCA Healthcare had a net margin of 8.61% and a negative return on equity of 198.52%. The company had revenue of $19.85 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $19.33 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $6.96 EPS. HCA Healthcare’s revenue was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis.

Several other brokerages have also issued reports on HCA. Oppenheimer lowered their target price on HCA Healthcare from $520.00 to $485.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of HCA Healthcare in a report on Friday, October 2nd. Wall Street Zen upgraded HCA Healthcare from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, October 31st. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare from $387.00 to $401.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, October 29th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $496.00 to $521.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, October 30th. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $480.13.

HCA Healthcare Trading Down 1.1%

Shares of NYSE HCA opened at $500.59 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $451.01 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $445.95. HCA Healthcare has a 1-year low of $353.99 and a 1-year high of $556.52. The firm has a market cap of $104.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.11.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. MidFirst Bank purchased a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare in the second quarter worth $28,000. Clearstead Trust LLC bought a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. DiPaolo Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare in the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Latitude Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare in the third quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, Delos Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in HCA Healthcare in the second quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Institutional investors own 62.73% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Michael J. Schlosser sold 1,200 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $494.65, for a total value of $593,580.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 1,443 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $713,779.95. This represents a 45.40% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, COO Jon M. Foster sold 21,713 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $494.95, for a total transaction of $10,746,849.35. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer owned 10,000 shares in the company, valued at $4,949,500. This represents a 68.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 36,413 shares of company stock worth $18,251,464 in the last quarter. 1.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

HCA Healthcare Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 15th will be paid a $0.78 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 15th. This represents a $3.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. HCA Healthcare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 10.34%.

HCA Healthcare News Summary

Here’s some of the latest news about HCA:

• Neutral Sentiment: Overall, the forecast changes are mixed: Zacks’s FY2027 estimate is now $30.87, down from $31.27, while its FY2028 estimate is $33.98, down from $34.24. The balance of near- and longer-term revisions may temper the positive impact of the FY2026 increases. Zacks estimate updates
• Negative Sentiment: An HCA senior vice president sold $1.77 million in company stock. Insider sales can raise concern about executives’ views, although a sale alone does not establish a negative outlook. Insider selling article
• Negative Sentiment: Pomerantz LLP said it is investigating potential claims on behalf of HCA investors. The announcement may create uncertainty, though it does not establish wrongdoing or the outcome of any claims. Investor investigation announcement

About HCA Healthcare

HCA Healthcare is a healthcare services company that operates hospitals and other care facilities. Its services include inpatient and outpatient care, emergency treatment, surgery, diagnostic services and specialized care across areas such as cancer and cardiovascular medicine. The company serves patients in the United States and the United Kingdom through its network of hospitals and outpatient facilities, including surgery centers, urgent care clinics and physician practices. Founded in 1968, HCA Healthcare is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.