Zacks Research Estimates HCA Healthcare FY2026 Earnings

HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research issued their FY2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of HCA Healthcare in a note issued to investors on Monday, August 10th. Zacks Research analyst Team expects that the company will earn $29.40 per share for the year. The consensus estimate for HCA Healthcare’s current full-year earnings is $29.45 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for HCA Healthcare’s FY2028 earnings at $34.24 EPS.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 24th. The company reported $7.59 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $7.56 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $20.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.76 billion. HCA Healthcare had a negative return on equity of 244.79% and a net margin of 8.77%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $6.84 earnings per share.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald dropped their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $588.00 to $525.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. UBS Group dropped their price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare from $635.00 to $579.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 27th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $402.00 to $387.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Stephens cut their price target on HCA Healthcare from $560.00 to $530.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 27th. Finally, Mizuho lowered their price objective on HCA Healthcare from $525.00 to $475.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, HCA Healthcare presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $465.59.

HCA Healthcare Stock Down 0.6%

Shares of HCA stock opened at $411.55 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $390.75 and a 200-day moving average of $447.87. The firm has a market cap of $89.10 billion, a PE ratio of 13.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 1.10. HCA Healthcare has a 12 month low of $353.99 and a 12 month high of $556.52.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On HCA Healthcare

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in HCA. Brighton Jones LLC acquired a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,021,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position in HCA Healthcare by 11.9% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 3,859 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,334,000 after acquiring an additional 409 shares during the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC raised its position in HCA Healthcare by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 630 shares of the company’s stock valued at $241,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare in the second quarter valued at $2,073,000. Finally, Sei Investments Co. lifted its position in HCA Healthcare by 56.3% during the 2nd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 136,589 shares of the company’s stock worth $52,328,000 after buying an additional 49,214 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.73% of the company’s stock.

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 given a $0.78 dividend. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 16th. HCA Healthcare’s dividend payout ratio is 10.45%.

HCA Healthcare News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting HCA Healthcare this week:

• Positive Sentiment: HCA’s Tennessee hospital appointed a new chief executive, providing a leadership update that could support local operations, although the move is unlikely to materially affect the broader company in the near term. HCA Tennessee hospital taps CEO
• Neutral Sentiment: HCA’s former CFO discussed the importance of partnerships in healthcare. The comments may reinforce the strategic value of collaboration and care-network development, but they do not indicate a new financial initiative or immediate change to HCA’s earnings outlook. HCA Healthcare’s former CFO on the role of partnerships in health
• Negative Sentiment: Healthcare workers at HCA hospitals are pushing for higher pay and increased staffing. Potential wage increases, labor-related disruptions and continued staffing shortages could raise operating costs and pressure margins, while criticism over staffing may create reputational risks. HCA workers push for higher pay and more staffing amid billions in profits
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research lowered EPS forecasts for HCA’s third and fourth quarters of 2026, multiple quarters in 2027 and the first two quarters of 2028. Its FY2027 estimate fell to $31.27 from $32.32, while the Q3 2026 forecast declined to $6.79 from $7.23. These broad estimate cuts are likely the main catalyst for the stock’s decrease because they imply softer-than-previously-expected earnings momentum.

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.