UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Sells 255,424 Shares of HCA Healthcare, Inc. $HCA

Key Points

• UBS Asset Management cut its HCA Healthcare stake by 17% in the second quarter, selling 255,424 shares and retaining 1.24 million shares valued at approximately $485.2 million. Institutional investors collectively own 62.73% of the company.
• HCA reported quarterly revenue of $20.23 billion and earnings of $7.59 per share, exceeding analyst estimates, while revenue increased 8.7% year over year.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.78 per share, equivalent to an annualized $3.12 dividend and a 0.7% yield. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating with an average price target of $462.64.

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC reduced its holdings in shares of HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA - Free Report) by 17.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,244,576 shares of the company's stock after selling 255,424 shares during the quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned 0.57% of HCA Healthcare worth $485,248,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in HCA. Palisade Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in HCA Healthcare in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. MidFirst Bank purchased a new stake in HCA Healthcare during the second quarter valued at $28,000. Clearstead Trust LLC purchased a new position in HCA Healthcare in the second quarter worth about $29,000. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare in the third quarter worth approximately $33,000. 62.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

HCA Healthcare Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of HCA Healthcare stock opened at $417.57 on Monday. HCA Healthcare, Inc. has a 52 week low of $353.99 and a 52 week high of $556.52. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $401.08 and its 200-day simple moving average is $441.07. The company has a market capitalization of $90.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.98, a PEG ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 1.10.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 24th. The company reported $7.59 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $7.56 by $0.03. HCA Healthcare had a negative return on equity of 244.79% and a net margin of 8.77%.The company had revenue of $20.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $19.76 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $6.84 EPS. The firm's revenue was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that HCA Healthcare, Inc. will post 29.42 earnings per share for the current year.

HCA Healthcare Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 16th will be issued a $0.78 dividend. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 16th. HCA Healthcare's payout ratio is currently 10.45%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have weighed in on HCA. UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $635.00 to $579.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on HCA Healthcare from $396.00 to $393.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 27th. Oppenheimer reduced their price target on HCA Healthcare from $520.00 to $485.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 27th. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on HCA Healthcare from $500.00 to $431.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 22nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings cut shares of HCA Healthcare from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 9th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $462.64.

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.

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