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HCA Healthcare (HCA)
NYSE:HCA

HCA Healthcare (HCA) AI Stock Analysis

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HCA

HCA Healthcare

(NYSE:HCA)

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Neutral 70 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:70Neutral
Price Target:
$532.00
▲(12.48% Upside)
HCA Healthcare's strong earnings call performance and positive technical indicators are key strengths, driving the overall score. However, financial risks from high leverage and a low dividend yield moderate the score.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Strong revenue growth indicates robust demand and effective business strategies, enhancing HCA's market position and financial stability.
Operational Efficiency
Improved operational efficiency through cost management enhances profitability, supporting sustainable long-term growth.
Cash Flow Management
Strong cash flow management ensures liquidity and financial flexibility, enabling strategic investments and debt servicing.
Negative Factors
High Debt Levels
High debt levels can strain financial resources and limit strategic options, posing risks to long-term financial health.
Federal Policy Uncertainty
Policy uncertainty can impact revenue streams and operational planning, creating potential volatility in healthcare service demand.
Hurricane-Impacted Markets
Ongoing challenges in hurricane-impacted markets can hinder recovery and growth, affecting regional performance and resource allocation.

HCA Healthcare (HCA) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

HCA Healthcare Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionHCA Healthcare, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides health care services company in the United States. The company 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. It also operates outpatient health care facilities consisting of freestanding ambulatory surgery centers, freestanding emergency care facilities, urgent care facilities, walk-in clinics, diagnostic and imaging centers, rehabilitation and physical therapy centers, radiation and oncology therapy centers, physician practices, and various other facilities. In addition, the company operates psychiatric hospitals, which provide therapeutic programs comprising child, adolescent and adult psychiatric care, adolescent and adult alcohol, drug abuse treatment, and counseling services. As of December 31, 2021, it operated 182 hospitals, including 175 general and acute care hospitals, five psychiatric hospitals, and two rehabilitation hospitals; 125 freestanding surgery centers; and 21 freestanding endoscopy centers in 20 states and England. The company was formerly known as HCA Holdings, Inc. HCA Healthcare, Inc. was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.
How the Company Makes MoneyHCA Healthcare generates revenue primarily through patient services provided at its hospitals and outpatient facilities. The key revenue streams include inpatient admissions, outpatient services, surgical procedures, emergency room visits, and diagnostic imaging. The company is largely funded by third-party payers such as Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies, which reimburse HCA for the medical services rendered. Additionally, HCA benefits from partnerships with various healthcare organizations and has implemented strategies to optimize operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance patient care, contributing to its overall earnings. The company also invests in technology and data analytics to improve service delivery and patient outcomes, further supporting its revenue generation efforts.

HCA Healthcare Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Adjusted EBITDA by Segment
Adjusted EBITDA by Segment
Highlights profitability across different business units, providing insight into which segments drive earnings and where operational efficiencies or challenges lie.
Chart InsightsHCA Healthcare's Adjusted EBITDA shows robust growth in the National, American, and Atlantic Groups, reflecting strategic expansions and improved operating margins. Despite the Corporate and Other segment's persistent negative impact, the earnings call highlighted strong financial performance, with a notable 11.3% increase in adjusted EBITDA. This growth is supported by volume increases in inpatient and emergency room admissions and effective cost management. However, challenges in surgical volumes and potential federal policy risks could pose future hurdles. Overall, the company is capitalizing on its expanded facility network and improved payer mix.
Data provided by:The Fly

HCA Healthcare Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 24, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 03, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflected strong financial performance with growth in revenue and earnings, improved payer mix, and operational efficiency. However, challenges remain in hurricane-impacted markets, and there is uncertainty regarding federal policy changes affecting health insurance coverage.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Revenue and Earnings Growth
Diluted earnings per share grew by 42% year-over-year, and revenue increased by 9.6%, driven by broad-based volume growth and improved payer mix.
Positive Volume Trends
Same facility equivalent admissions increased by 2.4%, with surgical volumes and ER visits also seeing notable growth.
Improved Payer Mix
Same-facility total commercial equivalent admissions increased by 3.7%, with exchanges growing 8% and commercial admissions (excluding exchanges) growing 2.4%.
Enhanced Operational Efficiency
The company achieved better margins through disciplined operations, with improvements in labor, supplies, and a flat trend in contract labor expenses.
Increased Guidance for 2025
Guidance for full year revenue was updated to range between $75 billion and $76.5 billion, with adjusted EBITDA expected to range between $15.25 billion and $15.65 billion.
Negative Updates
Challenges in Hurricane-Impacted Markets
Markets affected by hurricanes in 2024 have not fully recovered, with ongoing issues in payer mix and premium labor usage.
Slow Start to Respiratory Season
The slow start to the respiratory season in 2025 impacted year-over-year growth rates in admissions and ER visits by an estimated 50 and 70 basis points, respectively.
Uncertainty in Federal Policies
The extension of enhanced premium tax credits remains uncertain, affecting 24 million Americans dependent on it for health insurance coverage.
Company Guidance
During the HCA Healthcare Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, the company reported robust financial performance, leading to an upward revision of its full-year guidance. Key metrics revealed a 42% year-over-year increase in diluted earnings per share and a 9.6% growth in revenue, driven by volume growth, improved payer mix, and additional Medicaid supplemental revenues. Adjusted EBITDA rose significantly, with a net benefit of approximately $240 million from Medicaid supplemental payment programs. The company's guidance for 2025 was updated to include expected revenues between $75 billion and $76.5 billion, net income between $6.50 billion and $6.72 billion, and adjusted EBITDA ranging from $15.25 billion to $15.65 billion. Capital expenditures are projected to be around $5 billion, with supplemental payments contributing an additional $250 million to $350 million for the full year compared to 2024. The call also highlighted strong demand across markets, with same-facility equivalent admissions up 2.4%, and surgical volumes showing positive growth.

HCA Healthcare Financial Statement Overview

Summary
HCA Healthcare shows strong revenue growth and cash flow management, with a TTM revenue growth rate of 2.3% and a free cash flow growth rate of 11%. However, the high debt-to-equity ratio and negative stockholders' equity present significant financial risks.
Income Statement
75
Positive
HCA Healthcare shows a consistent revenue growth trend, with a TTM revenue growth rate of 2.3%. The company maintains stable profitability with a gross profit margin of 15.6% and a net profit margin of 8.5%. However, margins have slightly decreased compared to previous years, indicating potential pressure on profitability.
Balance Sheet
40
Negative
The balance sheet reveals a high debt-to-equity ratio due to negative stockholders' equity, which poses a significant risk. The return on equity is negative, reflecting challenges in generating returns for shareholders. Despite these concerns, the company has substantial total assets, indicating potential for future leverage.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
HCA Healthcare demonstrates strong cash flow management with a free cash flow growth rate of 11% TTM. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is healthy at 0.72, indicating efficient cash generation relative to profits. The free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.63 further supports the company's robust cash flow position.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue74.37B70.60B64.97B60.23B58.75B51.53B
Gross Profit11.63B10.55B9.63B9.05B9.68B7.26B
EBITDA15.00B13.90B12.72B13.29B14.21B9.71B
Net Income6.38B5.76B5.24B5.64B6.96B3.75B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets59.75B59.51B56.21B52.44B50.74B47.49B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments997.00M2.02B935.00M908.00M1.45B1.79B
Total Debt46.35B45.24B41.86B40.20B36.73B33.06B
Total Liabilities61.91B58.96B55.15B52.51B49.25B44.60B
Stockholders Equity-5.33B-2.50B-1.77B-2.77B-933.00M572.00M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow8.10B5.64B4.69B4.13B5.38B6.40B
Operating Cash Flow12.84B10.51B9.43B8.52B8.96B9.23B
Investing Cash Flow-5.02B-4.93B-5.32B-3.39B-2.64B-3.39B
Financing Cash Flow-9.71B-4.58B-4.09B-5.66B-6.66B-4.68B

HCA Healthcare Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price472.98
Price Trends
50DMA
467.46
Positive
100DMA
434.68
Positive
200DMA
394.64
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.19
Positive
RSI
47.30
Neutral
STOCH
31.30
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For HCA, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 472.98 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 487.60, above the 50-day MA of 467.46, and above the 200-day MA of 394.64, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.19 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 47.30 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 31.30 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for HCA.

HCA Healthcare Risk Analysis

HCA Healthcare disclosed 31 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. HCA Healthcare reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

HCA Healthcare Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (51)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
$14.21B10.8119.97%0.36%10.21%39.58%
74
Outperform
$17.25B13.4634.51%-0.56%-53.50%
70
Neutral
$107.93B18.280.61%6.82%15.82%
65
Neutral
$13.73B17.065.31%3.35%4.09%13.17%
64
Neutral
$10.70B20.1124.94%0.66%11.13%27.53%
59
Neutral
$8.13B11.865.14%4.37%
51
Neutral
$7.86B-0.30-43.30%2.27%22.53%-2.21%
* Healthcare Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
HCA
HCA Healthcare
472.98
171.72
57.00%
DVA
DaVita
115.20
-37.82
-24.72%
FMS
Fresenius Medical Care
23.51
1.26
5.66%
EHC
Encompass Health
106.39
12.80
13.68%
THC
Tenet Healthcare
196.33
66.69
51.44%
UHS
Universal Health
227.46
47.48
26.38%

HCA Healthcare Corporate Events

Private Placements and Financing
HCA Healthcare Issues $3.25 Billion in Senior Notes
Neutral
Oct 31, 2025

On October 31, 2025, HCA Inc., a subsidiary of HCA Healthcare, completed a significant financial transaction by issuing $3.25 billion in senior notes. This issuance, which includes notes maturing between 2030 and 2055, is expected to impact the company’s financial operations by providing additional capital, potentially influencing its market positioning and stakeholder interests.

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
HCA Healthcare Announces Senior Notes Offering
Neutral
Oct 27, 2025

On October 27, 2025, HCA Healthcare announced a proposed public offering of senior unsecured notes through its subsidiary, HCA Inc. The proceeds from this offering are intended for general corporate purposes, including the potential redemption of $1.5 billion of senior notes due in 2026. This strategic financial move is expected to impact HCA’s financial operations and market positioning by potentially reducing its debt obligations.

DividendsFinancial Disclosures
HCA Healthcare Reports Strong Q3 2025 Financial Results
Positive
Oct 24, 2025

HCA Healthcare reported strong financial results for the third quarter of 2025, with revenues increasing by 9.6% to $19.161 billion and net income rising by 29.4% to $1.643 billion compared to the same period in 2024. The company also announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.72 per share, payable on December 29, 2025, and raised its 2025 financial guidance, reflecting a positive outlook for stakeholders.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Dec 09, 2025