HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) Hits New 52-Week High - What's Next?

Key Points

• HCA Healthcare's stock reached a new 52-week high of $421.22 amid a trading volume of 271,792 shares, showing a significant rise from its previous close of $414.89.
• Analysts have mixed ratings for HCA Healthcare, with predictions of an average target price of $407.75 and recent upgrades from firms like Barclays, which increased its price target to $445.00.
• The company reported quarterly earnings exceeding expectations, with an EPS of $6.84, and set its FY 2025 guidance between $25.500 and $27.000 EPS.

HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA - Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $421.04 and last traded at $421.22, with a volume of 271792 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $414.89.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

HCA has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare from $375.00 to $410.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare from $360.00 to $370.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Stephens upgraded HCA Healthcare to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, June 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on HCA Healthcare from $385.00 to $375.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 14th. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $390.00 to $445.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, September 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $407.75.

HCA Healthcare Stock Up 1.3%

The company has a current ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 69.07. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $388.62 and a 200-day moving average price of $368.12. The firm has a market cap of $98.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.66, a P/E/G ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 1.41.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 25th. The company reported $6.84 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $6.20 by $0.64. The firm had revenue of $18.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $18.49 billion. HCA Healthcare had a negative return on equity of 7,363.11% and a net margin of 8.21%.The firm's quarterly revenue was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $5.50 EPS. HCA Healthcare has set its FY 2025 guidance at 25.500-27.000 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that HCA Healthcare, Inc. will post 24.98 EPS for the current year.

HCA Healthcare Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 16th will be paid a $0.72 dividend. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 16th. HCA Healthcare's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 12.11%.

Insider Transactions at HCA Healthcare

In related news, EVP Michael S. Cuffe sold 3,836 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $418.84, for a total transaction of $1,606,670.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 31,503 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $13,194,716.52. This represents a 10.85% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.30% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On HCA Healthcare

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in HCA. Corient Private Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of HCA Healthcare by 4.8% during the 2nd quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 40,554 shares of the company's stock valued at $15,536,000 after acquiring an additional 1,856 shares in the last quarter. Caldwell Trust Co acquired a new position in HCA Healthcare during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $478,000. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of HCA Healthcare by 19.3% during the second quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,209 shares of the company's stock worth $463,000 after purchasing an additional 196 shares in the last quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its holdings in HCA Healthcare by 130.0% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 70,341 shares of the company's stock worth $26,534,000 after buying an additional 39,760 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC increased its holdings in HCA Healthcare by 6.6% during the 2nd quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 7,719 shares of the company's stock worth $2,957,000 after purchasing an additional 479 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.73% of the company's stock.

HCA Healthcare Company Profile

HCA Healthcare, Inc, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates hospitals and related healthcare entities in the United States. It operates general and acute care hospitals that offers medical and surgical services, including inpatient care, intensive care, cardiac care, diagnostic, and emergency services; and outpatient services, such as outpatient surgery, laboratory, radiology, respiratory therapy, cardiology, and physical therapy.

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