Zacks Research Predicts Stronger Earnings for HCA Healthcare

HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) – Analysts at Zacks Research increased their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of HCA Healthcare in a report released on Wednesday, March 4th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the company will earn $7.11 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $6.93. Zacks Research currently has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for HCA Healthcare’s current full-year earnings is $24.98 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for HCA Healthcare’s Q1 2027 earnings at $7.86 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $8.16 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $7.93 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $9.23 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $33.18 EPS.

A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $598.00 to $635.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $520.00 to $558.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $520.00 to $546.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Oppenheimer lifted their price target on HCA Healthcare from $500.00 to $540.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, TD Cowen raised their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $529.00 to $561.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, HCA Healthcare has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $537.73.

HCA Healthcare Price Performance

NYSE:HCA opened at $537.78 on Monday. HCA Healthcare has a 12-month low of $310.18 and a 12-month high of $552.90. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $503.07 and a 200 day simple moving average of $467.72. The firm has a market capitalization of $120.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.95, a P/E/G ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 1.34.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The company reported $8.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $7.37 by $0.64. HCA Healthcare had a net margin of 8.97% and a negative return on equity of 409.11%. The company had revenue of $19.51 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.67 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $6.22 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. HCA Healthcare has set its FY 2026 guidance at 29.100-31.500 EPS.

Institutional Trading of HCA Healthcare

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of HCA. Palisade Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in HCA Healthcare in the 3rd quarter worth $26,000. Clearstead Trust LLC raised its stake in HCA Healthcare by 311.8% in the second quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 70 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 53 shares during the period. Holos Integrated Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC bought a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare during the fourth quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in HCA Healthcare by 82.9% in the 3rd quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 75 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 34 shares during the period. 62.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Jennifer Berres sold 8,020 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $514.58, for a total value of $4,126,931.60. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 11,993 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,171,357.94. This represents a 40.07% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Michael S. Cuffe sold 1,500 shares of HCA Healthcare stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $498.09, for a total value of $747,135.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 30,003 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $14,944,194.27. The trade was a 4.76% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 15,214 shares of company stock valued at $7,797,595 in the last quarter. 1.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

HCA Healthcare Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be paid a $0.78 dividend. This represents a $3.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 17th. This is a boost from HCA Healthcare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.72. HCA Healthcare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 10.99%.

Key HCA Healthcare News

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

• Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen raised its price target on HCA to $561 and kept a Buy rating, signaling continued analyst confidence and suggesting upside versus the current share level. This type of analyst action often supports buying interest. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: HCA system was cleared to build a freestanding emergency room despite community pushback — a win for local expansion plans and potential incremental revenue/volume growth in the market where it will operate. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks published pieces highlighting HCA as a momentum and value stock and as a name with earnings growth/price strength — favorable retail/quant narratives that can attract buyers. (Multiple Zacks items.) Momentum Article
• Neutral Sentiment: Management presented at the Barclays 28th Annual Global Healthcare Conference — transcripts provide detail on strategy, capital allocation and growth initiatives but offered no headline surprises that would immediately re-rate the stock. Barclays Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: HCA also presented at the Leerink Global Healthcare Conference — additional management commentary (transcript) that reinforces the same operational and growth themes but adds incremental detail rather than new catalysts. Leerink Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: HCA’s CIO discussed the importance of “operational quiet” for digital transformation — an execution-focused piece that underlines IT/digital investment discipline but is more about long-term efficiency than an immediate earnings shock. CIO Article

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.