HCA snížila celoroční výhled zisku poté, co změna skladby plátců snížila čtvrtletní tržby přibližně o 400 mil. USD. Akcie 14. července klesly o 6,95 %.
NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of HCA Healthcare, Inc. ("HCA" or the "Company") (NYSE: HCA). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether HCA and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On July 14, 2026, HCA issued a press release reporting its preliminary financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2026. Among other items, HCA sharply lowered its full-2026 profit guidance, citing an unfavorable shift in the Company's payer mix, which impacted revenue by approximately $400 million in the quarter.
On this news, HCA's stock price fell $27.14 per share, or 6.95%, to close at $363.60 per share on July 14, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
HCA Healthcare by měl za čtvrtletí končící v září 2026 vykázat zisk 6,75 USD na akcii, což by znamenalo meziroční pokles o 3 %, při tržbách ve výši 19,38 mld. USD.
The market expects HCA Healthcare (HCA - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 27, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis hospital operator is expected to post quarterly earnings of $6.75 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -3%.
Revenues are expected to be $19.38 billion, up 1.1% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.2% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for HCA?For HCA, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.73%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that HCA will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that HCA would post earnings of $7.57 per share when it actually produced earnings of $7.59, delivering a surprise of +0.26%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
HCA doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
HCA Healthcare výrazně snížila celoroční výhled zisku poté, co posun ve struktuře plátců snížil čtvrtletní tržby přibližně o 400 milionů USD. Akcie 14. července oslabily o 6,95 %.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of HCA Healthcare, Inc. ("HCA" or the "Company") (NYSE: HCA). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether HCA and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On July 14, 2026, HCA issued a press release reporting its preliminary financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2026. Among other items, HCA sharply lowered its full-2026 profit guidance, citing an unfavorable shift in the Company's payer mix, which impacted revenue by approximately $400 million in the quarter.
On this news, HCA's stock price fell $27.14 per share, or 6.95%, to close at $363.60 per share on July 14, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
HCA snížila celoroční prognózu zisku poté, co nepříznivý vývoj skladby plátců ve čtvrtletí snížil tržby přibližně o 400 milionů USD. Akcie 14. července klesly o 6,95 %.
NEW YORK, Oct. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of HCA Healthcare, Inc. ("HCA" or the "Company") (NYSE: HCA). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether HCA and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On July 14, 2026, HCA issued a press release reporting its preliminary financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2026. Among other items, HCA sharply lowered its full-2026 profit guidance, citing an unfavorable shift in the Company's payer mix, which impacted revenue by approximately $400 million in the quarter.
On this news, HCA's stock price fell $27.14 per share, or 6.95%, to close at $363.60 per share on July 14, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Terra Nova Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA – Free Report) by 112.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,019 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,595 shares during the quarter. Terra Nova Asset Management LLC’s holdings in HCA Healthcare were worth $1,288,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in HCA. Anchyra Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of HCA Healthcare by 3.7% in the first quarter. Anchyra Partners LLC now owns 587 shares of the company’s stock valued at $278,000 after purchasing an additional 21 shares during the last quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. boosted its stake in HCA Healthcare by 73.1% during the first quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 90 shares of the company’s stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in HCA Healthcare by 4.2% in the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 935 shares of the company’s stock valued at $442,000 after buying an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of HCA Healthcare by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC now owns 6,845 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,239,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Monument Capital Management raised its holdings in shares of HCA Healthcare by 7.0% during the 3rd quarter. Monument Capital Management now owns 672 shares of the company’s stock worth $287,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the period. 62.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
HCA Healthcare Trading Up 1.7% NYSE HCA opened at $458.69 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $421.88 and a 200-day simple moving average of $419.26. The stock has a market cap of $99.31 billion, a PE ratio of 15.36, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.10. HCA Healthcare, Inc. has a twelve month low of $353.99 and a twelve month high of $556.52.
HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 24th. The company reported $7.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $7.56 by $0.03. HCA Healthcare had a net margin of 8.77% and a negative return on equity of 244.79%. The firm had revenue of $20.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.76 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $6.84 EPS. HCA Healthcare’s revenue was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that HCA Healthcare, Inc. will post 29.42 EPS for the current year. HCA Healthcare Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 16th were paid a $0.78 dividend. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, September 16th. HCA Healthcare’s payout ratio is 10.45%.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth HCA has been the topic of several recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $369.00 to $381.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare from $558.00 to $485.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $425.00 to $380.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 27th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of HCA Healthcare from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Oppenheimer cut their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $520.00 to $485.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 27th. Sixteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $467.61.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on HCA
About HCA Healthcare (Free Report)
HCA Healthcare, Inc is a provider of healthcare services in the United States. Through its network of hospitals and other healthcare facilities, the company delivers services including emergency and urgent care, surgery, inpatient and outpatient treatment, women’s and children’s care, cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, and behavioral health services.
HCA Healthcare also operates physician practices, ambulatory surgery centers, freestanding emergency rooms, diagnostic facilities, and other outpatient care sites.
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HCA Healthcare výrazně snížila celoroční výhled zisku poté, co změna struktury plátců snížila čtvrtletní tržby přibližně o 400 milionů USD. Akcie 14. července 2026 klesly o 6,95 %.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of HCA Healthcare, Inc. ("HCA" or the "Company") (NYSE: HCA). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether HCA and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On July 14, 2026, HCA issued a press release reporting its preliminary financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2026. Among other items, HCA sharply lowered its full-2026 profit guidance, citing an unfavorable shift in the Company's payer mix, which impacted revenue by approximately $400 million in the quarter.
On this news, HCA's stock price fell $27.14 per share, or 6.95%, to close at $363.60 per share on July 14, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
HCA Healthcare výrazně snížila celoroční výhled zisku poté, co změna struktury plátců ve 2. čtvrtletí snížila tržby zhruba o 400 mil. USD. Akcie společnosti 14. července klesly o 6,95 %.
NEW YORK, Oct. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of HCA Healthcare, Inc. ("HCA" or the "Company") (NYSE: HCA). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether HCA and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On July 14, 2026, HCA issued a press release reporting its preliminary financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2026. Among other items, HCA sharply lowered its full-2026 profit guidance, citing an unfavorable shift in the Company's payer mix, which impacted revenue by approximately $400 million in the quarter.
On this news, HCA's stock price fell $27.14 per share, or 6.95%, to close at $363.60 per share on July 14, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
HCA Healthcare čelí vyšetřování ze strany Pomerantz LLP kvůli možnému podvodu s cennými papíry. Firma po slabých výsledcích za 2. čtvrtletí 2026 výrazně snížila celoroční výhled zisku.
NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of HCA Healthcare, Inc. ("HCA" or the "Company") (NYSE: HCA). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether HCA and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On July 14, 2026, HCA issued a press release reporting its preliminary financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2026. Among other items, HCA sharply lowered its full-2026 profit guidance, citing an unfavorable shift in the Company's payer mix, which impacted revenue by approximately $400 million in the quarter.
On this news, HCA's stock price fell $27.14 per share, or 6.95%, to close at $363.60 per share on July 14, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
HCA ve 2. čtvrtletí zvýšila přijetí pacientů o 2,4 % na téměř 580 000, zatímco průměrná délka hospitalizace klesla na 4,643 dne a obsazenost vzrostla na 72,7 %.
Key Takeaways HCA's admissions rose 2.4%, while average stays fell to 4.643 days in the second quarter of 2026.HCA's patient days increased just 0.6%, well below admission growth, while occupancy improved to 72.7%.HCA plans more than $7 billion in capital spending, including 1,000 to 1,200 additional inpatient beds. HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA - Free Report) is seeing higher patient volumes while patients are spending slightly less time in its hospitals. This combination could help the company use existing capacity more effectively as it continues to expand its network. In the second quarter of 2026, reported admissions increased 2.4% year over year to nearly 580,000. Same-facility admissions rose 2.5%, while same-facility emergency room visits advanced 3.6%.
At the same time, the average length of stay declined to 4.643 days from 4.726 days a year earlier. Occupancy improved to 72.7% from 72.0%, even as the average length of stay declined. This shows that HCA accommodated faster admission growth without a comparable increase in patient days. Patient days increased just 0.6%, considerably slower than admission growth.
The trend could become increasingly relevant as demand grows across the company’s markets and it continues investing in inpatient beds and emergency room capacity. HCA has approved more than $7 billion of capital expenditures expected to come online over the next three years, including 1,000 to 1,200 additional inpatient beds.
Still, shorter stays do not automatically translate into better operating performance. Service mix can influence the metric, while lower surgical volumes remain a consideration. For HCA, the key will be maintaining admission growth while managing hospital capacity without compromising care delivery. If that balance persists, shorter stays could give the company additional flexibility as patient volumes grow.
How Do Peers Compare?HCA’s Medical peers, including Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC - Free Report) and Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS - Free Report) , are also seeing steady hospital demand.
Tenet reported a 2.6% increase in same-hospital adjusted admissions in the second quarter of 2026, while emergency room visits rose 2%. THC’s hospital surgeries declined 0.7%, but net patient service revenue per adjusted admission increased 3.3%, supporting a 22.3% rise in hospital adjusted EBITDA to $762 million.
Universal Health’s same-facility acute-care adjusted admissions increased 2.9%, while adjusted patient days rose 3.1%. Net revenue per adjusted admission advanced 3%, helping acute-care revenues grow 8.2%. UHS saw patient-day growth broadly track admissions, while HCA’s patient-day growth remained well below its admission growth.
HCA’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of HCA Healthcare have gained 3.4% over the past year compared with the industry's 15.3% growth over the same period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, HCA trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 13.91, down from the industry average of 16.67. HCA carries a Value Score of A.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HCA’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $29.42 per share, implying a 4.3% jump from the year-ago period’s level.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
HCA currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
HCA ve 2. čtvrtletí 2026 zvýšila upravený EPS o 11 % díky vyšším výnosům od pacientů a lepší kontrole nákladů. Tlak ale přichází ze slabších elektivních výkonů a 15% poklesu přijetí souvisejících s výměnnými programy.
Key Takeaways HCA's admissions and ER visits rose, helping adjusted EPS advance 11% in the second quarter of 2026.HCA faces weaker elective procedures and a 15% drop in exchange-related equivalent admissions.HCA expects its resiliency program to improve cost trends in the second half of 2026 and into 2027. HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA - Free Report) is navigating a more complex operating environment in which healthy demand is being offset by an unfavorable shift in its service and payer mix. The company’s volume trends remain solid, but the composition of that growth is becoming increasingly important to earnings.
Same-facility equivalent admissions increased 2.7% year over year in the second quarter of 2026, while emergency room visits rose 3.6%. Same-facility equivalent admissions among insured patients, excluding exchange plans, also grew 3.2% year over year, indicating that core demand remains healthy. In the second quarter, adjusted EPS advanced 11% year over year, supported by higher admissions, better expense performance and Medicaid supplemental payments.
However, inpatient and outpatient surgeries declined 2.3% and 3.4% year over year in the second quarter of 2026, respectively, as weaker elective demand weighed on procedure volumes. The more significant pressure is coming from HCA’s payer mix. Same-facility exchange-related equivalent admissions fell 15%, while uninsured equivalent admissions increased 15%, reflecting a near one-for-one migration of patients losing exchange coverage.
Against these pressures, HCA is leaning on its resiliency program to control costs through digital tools, global capabilities and workforce initiatives. The company expects these efforts to improve cost trends in the second half of 2026 and into 2027. Although HCA’s revised 2026 guidance reflects heavier exchange-related pressure, continued volume growth, cost discipline and network expansion could help it sustain earnings growth despite a changing service mix. Its planned investments should also broaden access points, with additional inpatient beds and outpatient facilities expected to expand capacity across growing markets.
How Are Peers Faring?Some of HCA’s peers in the medical space are Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC - Free Report) and Community Health Systems, Inc. (CYH - Free Report) .
Tenet is also facing payer-mix pressure while benefiting from higher-acuity care and strong expense control. In the second quarter of 2026, THC’s same-hospital admissions rose 2.3% year over year, despite surgeries slipping 0.7%. Hospital adjusted EBITDA jumped 22.3%, while its ambulatory business continued to provide another earnings-growth avenue.
Community Health Systems reported improving same-store demand in the second quarter of 2026, with admissions up 1.9% year over year and adjusted admissions rising 2.9%. However, unfavorable change in payer mix, divestitures and higher medical specialist fees weighed on CYH’s adjusted EBITDA despite better reimbursement rates and supplemental payments.
HCA’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of HCA Healthcare have gained 5.2% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 15.6%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, HCA Healthcare trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 13.95, below the industry average of 16.44. HCA carries a Value Score of A.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HCA Healthcare’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $29.42 per share, implying 4.3% growth from the year-ago period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
HCA stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
HCA Healthcare uvedla, že silná poptávka mimo zdravotní pojišťovací burzy zůstává, ale zrušení zvýšených daňových kreditů na burzách tlačí na výhled pro rok 2026. Firma odhaduje dopad na 1 až 1,2 miliardy USD.
Healthcare Added 35,200 Jobs—3 Stocks Positioned to BenefitHCA Healthcare NYSE: HCA CFO Mike Marks said the hospital operator is navigating a changing policy environment in 2026 while continuing to see solid underlying demand for services outside of the health insurance exchanges.
Speaking at an investor conference, Marks described the expiration of enhanced exchange tax credits as the largest near-term issue for HCA and the broader hospital sector. He said some individuals losing exchange coverage are becoming uninsured, creating pressure on payer mix and elective-care utilization.
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The Aging of America Could Make HCA Healthcare a Long-Term WinnerStill, Marks said demand in HCA’s markets remains favorable. In the second quarter, insured business excluding exchange plans rose 3.2% from a year earlier. The company reported 2.5% admission growth and 2.7% adjusted-admissions growth during the period.
Exchange impact and state payment programs Based on developments during the first half of the year, HCA updated its estimated full-year exchange-related impact to between $1 billion and $1.2 billion, Marks said. He said the company based that range on its experience through the first six months and its estimates for the remainder of 2026.
This ETF Is Proof That the Healthcare Rebound Is RealMarks noted that comparisons may become somewhat more favorable in the fourth quarter because exchange volumes had already begun slowing in late 2025. He said fourth-quarter 2025 exchange volumes declined by approximately 5,000 equivalent admissions from the third quarter, while the full year had recorded exchange growth of more than 10% versus 2024.
Offsetting some of the exchange headwinds, HCA expects state supplemental payments to provide a net benefit of $300 million to $500 million for the year. Marks said five states in which HCA operates were able to advance programs under grandfathering provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill. All five have moved through approval processes, according to Marks, including Florida, Georgia, Virginia and Colorado.
Marks declined to quantify the impact of Virginia’s State Directed Payment program specifically, but said HCA’s overall estimate for supplemental-payment benefits continues to include Virginia.
Elective surgery pressures Marks said the primary cause of slower elective surgery volume was the migration of patients from exchange coverage to uninsured status, which can reduce access to elective care. He identified two additional factors affecting surgical trends.
The ongoing phaseout of Medicare’s Inpatient-Only List is shifting some procedures to outpatient settings. Marks said orthopedics and spine procedures were particularly affected during the second year of the three-year phaseout. HCA believes some consumers may be deferring elective procedures because of economic conditions, inflation, energy costs and other household expenses. Marks characterized this as an early hypothesis and the least significant of the three factors he cited. HCA operates approximately 150 ambulatory surgery centers across its markets. Marks said those facilities support the company’s hospital-centered network strategy and provide a site of care when procedures transition from inpatient to outpatient settings.
He said the company continues to target long-term equivalent-admission growth of 2% to 3%, supported by capital investment, acquisitions and network optimization across 43 markets in 19 states. HCA’s markets, primarily located in the Southeast and Southwest, generally have above-average population growth, stronger economic performance and higher employer-sponsored insurance coverage, Marks said.
Capital investment and operating efficiency HCA has averaged roughly 600 bed additions annually in recent years, Marks said. The company’s occupancy rate remains in the low- to mid-70% range, and management is balancing bed expansion with efforts to improve patient throughput and reduce length of stay.
Marks said improving length of stay is “the cheapest way to add capital capacity” because it can increase available capacity without requiring additional capital spending. HCA is also investing in operating rooms, emergency department capacity, service lines and outpatient facilities.
The company has increased its outpatient footprint from an average of 12 outpatient facilities per hospital at its 2023 investor day to more than 14 currently. Marks said HCA’s longer-term goal is to reach about 20 outpatient facilities per hospital by the end of the decade.
Cost discipline remains another component of HCA’s outlook. Marks said the company’s resiliency plan generated favorable cost-management results in the second quarter and is expected to contribute more meaningfully in the second half. The program focuses on revenue integrity, asset utilization, variable costs and fixed costs.
HCA has also invested in technology, processes and staffing to address claim denials and underpayments. Marks said the company is working with several large payer partners on digital data exchange and reducing administrative friction in the claims process.
Long-term outlook Looking beyond the current reform cycle, Marks said HCA expects to manage additional exchange-related pressure in 2027, though he does not expect it to be as severe as in 2026. The company also expects to navigate Medicaid work requirements scheduled to begin in January 2027.
Marks reiterated HCA’s longer-term framework of 4% to 6% top-line revenue growth and at least stable margins, which would support a similar range of EBITDA growth. He said the company’s capital allocation strategy, including share repurchases, could further support earnings-per-share growth.
He identified digital transformation, workforce development, network expansion and financial resiliency as central priorities for the next five years.
About HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA)HCA Healthcare, Inc NYSE: HCA is a healthcare services company that operates hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Its network provides a broad range of medical services, including emergency care, inpatient and outpatient treatment, surgery, diagnostic services, and maternity care.
The company also operates ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care facilities, physician practices, and other outpatient locations. HCA Healthcare serves patients through facilities located across the United States, as well as through HCA Healthcare UK, its healthcare operations in the United Kingdom.
HCA Healthcare was founded in 1968 by Dr.
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Pomerantz LLP prověřuje možné porušení zákona ze strany HCA Healthcare a jejích představitelů. Firma 14. července prudce snížila celoroční výhled zisku po nepříznivém posunu v mixu plátců, který ve čtvrtletí ovlivnil tržby přibližně o 400 milionů USD.
NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of HCA Healthcare, Inc. ("HCA" or the "Company") (NYSE: HCA). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether HCA and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On July 14, 2026, HCA issued a press release reporting its preliminary financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2026. Among other items, HCA sharply lowered its full-2026 profit guidance, citing an unfavorable shift in the Company's payer mix, which impacted revenue by approximately $400 million in the quarter.
On this news, HCA's stock price fell $27.14 per share, or 6.95%, to close at $363.60 per share on July 14, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
HCA Healthcare prudce snížila celoroční výhled zisku za rok 2026 po nepříznivé změně v mixu plátců, která ve čtvrtletí zasáhla tržby asi o 400 milionů USD.
NEW YORK, Sept. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of HCA Healthcare, Inc. ("HCA" or the "Company") (NYSE: HCA). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether HCA and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On July 14, 2026, HCA issued a press release reporting its preliminary financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2026. Among other items, HCA sharply lowered its full-2026 profit guidance, citing an unfavorable shift in the Company's payer mix, which impacted revenue by approximately $400 million in the quarter.
On this news, HCA's stock price fell $27.14 per share, or 6.95%, to close at $363.60 per share on July 14, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
HCA prudce snížila celoroční výhled zisku za rok 2026 po slabší skladbě plátců, která ve čtvrtletí zasáhla tržby asi o 400 milionů USD. Akcie po zprávě klesly o 27,14 USD, tedy o 6,95 %, na 363,60 USD.
NEW YORK, Sept. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of HCA Healthcare, Inc. ("HCA" or the "Company") (NYSE: HCA). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether HCA and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On July 14, 2026, HCA issued a press release reporting its preliminary financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2026. Among other items, HCA sharply lowered its full-2026 profit guidance, citing an unfavorable shift in the Company's payer mix, which impacted revenue by approximately $400 million in the quarter.
On this news, HCA's stock price fell $27.14 per share, or 6.95%, to close at $363.60 per share on July 14, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
HCA Healthcare uvádí, že lepší kontrola nákladů pomáhá chránit zisk, i když v roce 2026 čeká nepříznivý dopad 1,0–1,2 miliardy USD ze stažení z pojistných burz. Cílí na 4–6% dlouhodobý růst upraveného EBITDA.
Key Takeaways HCA's cost-control progress is helping offset inflation and protect profitability amid earnings headwinds.HCA is using digital transformation and shared services to drive recurring productivity gains.HCA targets 4-6% long-term adjusted EBITDA growth as unit-cost control supports volume growth. HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA - Free Report) faces a significant earnings headwind from health insurance exchange disenrollment, with the company estimating a $1.0-$1.2 billion unfavorable impact in 2026. At the same time, professional fees and other operating costs remain elevated. Against this backdrop, its multi-year resiliency program is becoming an important tool for strengthening financial performance.
Same-facility cost per equivalent admission was essentially flat year over year in the second quarter and improved 1.4% sequentially. The combined cost of salaries and benefits, supplies, and other operating expenses per adjusted admission was only flat to slightly higher than a year earlier. This suggests that HCA is gaining greater control over its underlying cost base, even as the operating environment remains challenging. The progress is important because better cost control can help HCA offset inflation and protect profitability.
HCA’s investments in digital transformation, global capabilities and expanded shared services could support recurring productivity gains and reduce reliance on temporary cost-cutting measures. That matters as elective surgery remains pressured by affordability concerns, while changes in payer mix weigh on earnings.
If these initiatives consistently deliver productivity improvements, the resiliency program transitions from an emergency buffer into a durable margin driver. The ability to keep unit costs in check while maintaining volume growth could become an increasingly important contributor to HCA’s targeted 4-6% long-term adjusted EBITDA growth.
How Do Peers Compare?HCA is not alone in prioritizing operational efficiency. Medical peers such as Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC - Free Report) and Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS - Free Report) are also pursuing efficiency initiatives and expanding outpatient capabilities to drive growth and profitability.
Tenet Healthcare has strengthened profitability through operational discipline and a growing ambulatory-care platform. THC’s focus on efficiency, higher-acuity care and portfolio optimization strengthens earnings resilience and supports healthier margins.
Universal Health continues to emphasize disciplined cost management and operational efficiency across its hospital and behavioral-health businesses. UHS’ ability to control expenses while sustaining earnings growth makes its margin resilience an important factor for investors tracking healthcare operators.
HCA’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of HCA Healthcare have gained 3.8% over the past year compared with the industry's 12.8% growth over the same period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, HCA trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 13.44X, down from the industry average of 16.69X. HCA carries a Value Score of A.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HCA’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $29.42 per share, implying a 4.3% jump from the year-ago period’s level.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
HCA currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
HCA výrazně snížila celoroční výhled na zisk pro rok 2026 po slabší skladbě plátců, která ve čtvrtletí zasáhla tržby asi o 400 milionů USD. Akcie po zprávě klesly o 6,95 % na 363,60 USD.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of HCA Healthcare, Inc. ("HCA" or the "Company") (NYSE: HCA). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.
The investigation concerns whether HCA and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.
[Click here for information about joining the class action]
On July 14, 2026, HCA issued a press release reporting its preliminary financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2026. Among other items, HCA sharply lowered its full-2026 profit guidance, citing an unfavorable shift in the Company's payer mix, which impacted revenue by approximately $400 million in the quarter.
On this news, HCA's stock price fell $27.14 per share, or 6.95%, to close at $363.60 per share on July 14, 2026.
Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
HCA Healthcare prudce snížila celoroční výhled na zisk na 28,70 až 30,50 USD na akcii a upozornila na dopad nepojištěných pacientů, který ve čtvrtletí snížil tržby asi o 400 milionů USD.
The law firm of Kirby McInerney LLP reminds investors of its investigation on behalf of HCA Healthcare, Inc. (“HCA Healthcare” or the “Company”) (NYSE: HCA) investors concerning the Company’s and/or members of its senior management’s possible violation of the federal securities laws or other unlawful business practices.
[LEARN MORE ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION]
What Happened?
On July 14, 2026, HCA Healthcare issued a press release reporting its preliminary financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2026. Among other items, HCA Healthcare sharply lowered its full-2026 profit guidance, citing an unfavorable shift in the Company’s payer mix, driven by an increase in uninsured volume—primarily due to patients who had lost coverage on health insurance exchanges—which impacted revenue by approximately $400 million in the quarter. The Company lowered its forecast for 2026 earnings to between $28.70 and $30.50 a share and narrowed its revenue target to $77 billion to $79.5 billion from a prior $76.5 billion to $80 billion range. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization are targeted at between $15.4 billion and $16.1 billion, where HCA Healthcare previously anticipated $15.55 billion to $16.45 billion.
On this news, HCA Healthcare’s stock price fell $27.14 per share, or 6.95%, to close at $363.60 per share on July 14, 2026.
What Should I Do?
At this stage, no lawsuit has been filed. The investigation is ongoing to determine whether claims may be brought under federal securities laws. Click here to learn more about securities class actions.
If you purchased or otherwise acquired HCA Healthcare securities, have information, or would like to learn more about this investigation, please contact Lauren Molinaro of Kirby McInerney LLP by email at [email protected], or fill out the contact form below, to discuss your rights or interests with respect to these matters at no cost.
[LEARN MORE ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION]
Kirby McInerney LLP is a New York-based plaintiffs’ law firm concentrating in securities, antitrust, whistleblower, and consumer litigation. The firm’s efforts on behalf of shareholders in securities litigation have resulted in recoveries totaling billions of dollars. Additional information about the firm can be found at Kirby McInerney LLP’s website.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260803791643/en/
HCA Healthcare ve 2. čtvrtletí zvýšila tržby o 8,7 % na 20,23 mld. USD a upravený zisk na akcii na 7,59 USD, oba výsledky překonaly odhady. Firma zároveň potvrdila výhled pro fiskální rok 2026.
HCA Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:HCA) on Friday posted upbeat second-quarter earnings.
The company posted second-quarter 2026 revenues of $20.23 billion, representing an 8.7% year-over-year increase, beating the consensus estimate of $19.40 billion. The company reported adjusted earnings of $7.59, up from $6.84 a year ago, surpassing the Wall Street estimates of $7.02.
HCA Healthcare reaffirmed fiscal 2026 earnings guidance of $28.70-$30.50 per share compared to the consensus of $29.70. The company expects 2026 sales of $77 billion-$79.50 billion versus the consensus of $78.457 billion.
HCA Healthcare shares gained 2.34% to trade at $391.35 on Monday.
These analysts made changes to their price targets on HCA Healthcare following earnings announcement.
Considering buying HCA stock? Here’s what analysts think:
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HCA Healthcare ve 2. čtvrtletí zvýšila zředěný zisk na akcii o 11 %, ale kvůli přechodu pacientů z plánů z burz zdravotního pojištění mezi nepojištěné očekává horší celoroční výhled. Nově čeká upravený dopad na EBITDA až -1,2 miliardy USD.
Healthcare Added 35,200 Jobs—3 Stocks Positioned to BenefitHCA Healthcare NYSE: HCA said its second-quarter performance reflected solid demand in several service lines and 11% growth in diluted earnings per share, but the company faced increased financial pressure as patients losing health insurance exchange coverage shifted largely into the uninsured population.
Chief Executive Officer Sam Hazen said the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits at the end of 2025 led more patients to lose exchange coverage than the company had anticipated. While HCA expected some individuals to move to other coverage options, Hazen said patients instead migrated “almost one for one” to uninsured status while continuing to require hospital care.
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The Aging of America Could Make HCA Healthcare a Long-Term Winner“The effects, as expected, were that many people became uninsured and still needed emergency care from hospitals,” Hazen said. He added that the impact in the first half of 2026 was greater than the company’s original estimates.
Payer Mix Shift Drives Updated Outlook Same-facility equivalent admissions among patients covered through health insurance exchanges declined 15% in the second quarter and year to date, according to Chief Financial Officer Mike Marks. Equivalent admissions among insured patients excluding exchange plans increased 3.2% in the second quarter, while total uninsured equivalent admissions rose 15%.
This ETF Is Proof That the Healthcare Rebound Is RealMarks said the exchange-related payer mix shift created an approximately $400 million unfavorable impact on adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter. That figure included about $75 million tied to a higher estimate of the first-quarter exchange impact.
The company now expects the full-year adjusted EBITDA impact from health insurance exchange changes to range from negative $1 billion to negative $1.2 billion. Marks said the updated outlook reflects the company’s conclusion that nearly all patients losing exchange coverage are becoming uninsured, compared with its prior assumption that 80% to 85% would do so. HCA also said its original expectation that uninsured patients would use fewer healthcare services did not materialize.
Three divisions—Gulf Coast, North Florida and South Atlantic—accounted for about half of the companywide exchange-related impact. Hazen said exchange adjusted admissions in those divisions declined between 25% and 28% in the first half.
HCA revised its full-year 2026 guidance to:
Revenue of $77 billion to $79.5 billion. Adjusted EBITDA of $15.4 billion to $16.1 billion. Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare of $6.3 billion to $6.7 billion. Diluted earnings per share of $28.70 to $30.50. Marks said the revised outlook is more consistent with HCA’s long-term adjusted EBITDA growth target of 4% to 6%, following moderation from the company’s 2025 growth rate and its initial 2026 assumptions.
Medicaid Programs Offset Pressure in the Quarter The company recognized approximately $400 million of incremental net benefit from Medicaid supplemental payment programs during the second quarter. That included a $540 million incremental net benefit related to a recently approved Florida program covering the period from Oct. 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026, or 21 months.
The Florida benefit was partly offset by retroactive payments received in the second quarter of 2025. HCA’s annual guidance assumes a net Medicaid supplemental-payment benefit of $300 million to $500 million, but Marks said the outlook implies a $100 million to $300 million headwind in the second half because prior program approvals and retroactive payments are expected to exceed the incremental benefit from the Florida program.
Hazen described Medicaid supplemental programs as important to supporting access to care for Medicaid patients, particularly as hospitals provide more uncompensated care to uninsured patients.
Demand Growth Continues, Though Surgeries Decline Same-facility admissions increased 2.5% in the second quarter, while equivalent admissions rose 2.7%. Emergency room visits increased 3.6%, with cardiac procedures and rehabilitation volumes also contributing to demand.
However, inpatient surgeries declined 2.3% and outpatient surgeries fell 3.4%. Hazen attributed much of the decline to reduced demand for elective procedures, including patients previously covered through exchange plans. He also cited physician feedback regarding affordability pressures affecting patients and the effect of Medicare inpatient rule changes that have shifted some cases from inpatient to outpatient settings.
Emergency inpatient surgeries, which account for about two-thirds of HCA’s inpatient surgical cases, increased 2% year over year through the first six months. By contrast, elective inpatient surgeries were down 6% this year, compared with a 2% decline in the prior year.
Despite the surgical weakness, Hazen said the company remains encouraged by demand and continues to expect long-term demand growth of 2% to 3%, supported by population growth and market trends in its communities.
Capital Investment and Cost Initiatives HCA has approved more than $7 billion of capital spending expected to come online over the next three years. The investments include 1,000 to 1,200 additional inpatient beds, new hospitals in certain markets, and additional outpatient facilities.
Hazen said the company had approximately 42,000 beds currently in operation, up from roughly 37,000 at the end of 2018. Occupancy increased to 75% from 71% over that period. HCA also had 5% more outpatient sites of care in the second quarter than a year earlier and expects another 250 to 300 outpatient facilities in its capital or acquisition pipeline to open later this year or early next year.
The company spent $1.2 billion on capital expenditures during the quarter, repurchased $2.1 billion of shares and paid $171 million in dividends. Cash flow from operations was $2.3 billion, down 45% year over year, primarily because of the timing of Florida Medicaid supplemental-payment cash flows and the prior-year deferral of federal income tax payments.
HCA maintained its planned 2026 capital expenditure range of $5 billion to $5.5 billion and said it currently expects to complete most of its existing share-repurchase authorization, subject to market conditions and other factors.
On costs, Marks said same-facility cost per equivalent admission, including the effect of Medicaid supplemental payment programs, was essentially flat from a year earlier and improved 1.4% sequentially. He said HCA’s financial resiliency program—which includes digital transformation, global capabilities and expanded shared services—is intended to produce multiyear efficiency benefits. Professional fees remained elevated, rising about 8.5% year over year in the quarter, primarily due to anesthesia and radiology costs.
About HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA)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.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
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HCA Healthcare oznámila za 2. čtvrtletí EPS 7,59 USD, nad odhadem 7,57 USD. Tržby 20,23 mld. USD za čtvrtletí končící v červnu 2026 byly v souladu s očekáváním.
HCA Healthcare (HCA - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $7.59 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.57 per share. This compares to earnings of $6.84 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +0.26%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this hospital operator would post earnings of $7.17 per share when it actually produced earnings of $7.15, delivering a surprise of -0.28%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.
HCA, which belongs to the Zacks Medical Services industry, posted revenues of $20.23 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This compares to year-ago revenues of $18.61 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates just once over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
HCA shares have lost about 19.4% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.2%.
What's Next for HCA?While HCA has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for HCA was unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $7.13 on $19.73 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $29.19 on $78.51 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Medical Services is currently in the top 39% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
One other stock from the same industry, Teladoc (TDOC - Free Report) , is yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on July 29.
This telehealth services provider is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.24 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -26.3%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
Teladoc's revenues are expected to be $614.69 million, down 2.7% from the year-ago quarter.
RADNOR, Pa., July 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com), a nationally recognized securities litigation law firm, is investigating potential violations of the federal securities laws by HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE: HCA) on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired HCA Healthcare, Inc. securities and experienced significant financial losses.
HCA Announces Disappointing Financial Results
On July 14, 2026, HCA issued a press release reporting its preliminary financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2026. Among other items, HCA sharply lowered its full-2026 profit guidance, citing an unfavorable shift in the company's payer mix, which impacted revenue by approximately $400 million in the quarter.
HCA’s Stock Drops Over 6%
Following the news of HCA’s poor financial results, HCA Healthcare, Inc.’s stock price fell over 6%.
CONTACT KTMC TO DISCUSS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS:
If you purchased or acquired HCA Healthcare, Inc. securities and have lost money on your investment, please provide your information here: https://www.ktmc.com/hca-hca-healthcare-inc-investigation?utm_campaign=hc?utm_source=Globe&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=hca&mktm=PR
You can also contact attorney Jonathan Naji, Esq. by calling (484) 270-1453 or by email at [email protected]. There is no cost or obligation to speak with an attorney.
ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP (KTMC):
Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (KTMC) is a leading U.S. plaintiff-side law firm focused on securities-fraud class actions and global investor protection. The firm represents individual investors as well as institutions, such as major pension funds, asset managers, and international investors. KTMC has led some of the largest recoveries in securities litigation and has been recognized by peers and the legal media with numerous accolades, including being recognized in Chambers & Partners USA 2026 as a Band 1 Top Firm in Securities and Class Actions, Legal 500’s Tier 1 Rankings for Securities and M&A Litigation, The National Law Journal’s Plaintiff’s Hot List and Trailblazers in Plaintiffs' Law, BTI Consulting Group’s Honor Roll of Most Feared Law Firms, The Legal Intelligencer’s Class Action Firm of the Year, Lawdragon’s Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers, and Law360’s Titans of the Plaintiffs Bar. The firm operates globally with offices in Pennsylvania and California. KTMC has recovered over $25 billion for our clients and the classes they represent.
CONTACT:
Jonathan Naji, Esq.
280 King of Prussia Road
Radnor, PA 19087
(484) 270-1453 [email protected]
May be considered attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
HCA Healthcare čekají hospodářské výsledky za 2. čtvrtletí s odhadovaným EPS 7,41 USD a tržbami 19,92 miliardy USD. Vyšší náklady a kratší pobyty ale mohou ztížit překonání odhadů.
Key Takeaways HCA reports Q2 2026 results July 24, with consensus EPS of $7.41 on revenue of $19.92 billion.HCA is expected to see higher admissions and revenue per admission, supporting year-over-year growth.HCA faces pressure from higher expenses, shorter stays and fewer outpatient surgery cases. Hospital operator HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA - Free Report) is set to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 24, 2026, before the opening bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings is currently pegged at $7.41 per shareon revenues of $19.92 billion.
The second-quarter earnings estimate has witnessed one upward revision against no movement in the opposite direction over the past 30 days. The bottom-line projection indicates year-over-year growth of 8.3%. Also, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues implies a year-over-year increase of 7.1%.
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For 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for HCA Healthcare’s revenues is pegged at $78.57 billion, implying a rise of 3.9% year over year. The consensus mark for 2026 EPS is pegged at $29.87, implying an increase of 5.9% year over year.
HCA Healthcare’s earnings beat estimates in three of the last four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 10.6%. This is depicted in the figure below.
Q2 Earnings Whispers for HCAOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for the company this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. That’s not the case here.
HCA has an Earnings ESP of +2.41% and a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
What’s Shaping HCA Healthcare’s Q2 Results?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HCA Healthcare’s second-quarter equivalent admissions indicates 2.2% year-over-year growth, whereas our model estimate suggests a 1.7% jump. The consensus mark for revenue per equivalent admission signals a 2.7% rise from a year ago, while we expect 2.1% growth.
The consensus estimate for occupancy is pegged at 72.8%, up from 72% a year ago. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for equivalent patient days indicates a 1.9% year-over-year increase.
While these factors are likely to have positioned HCA Healthcare for growth from the year-ago quarter, rising expenses, lower average length of stay and outpatient surgery cases make an earnings beat uncertain.
Our model estimate for second-quarter total operating expenses indicates a 4.4% increase from a year ago, due to higher salaries & benefits, supply costs and other operating expenses. We expect supply costs to jump 3.3% in the to-be-reported quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for average length of stay indicates a 0.8% decline from the year-ago period. Moreover, both the consensus estimate and our model estimate for outpatient surgery cases imply a 0.3% fall from a year ago.
Stocks That Warrant a LookWhile an earnings beat looks uncertain for HCA Healthcare, here are some companies from the broader Medical space that you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time around:
ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. (PMN - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +13.30% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ProMIS’ bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter of a loss of $1.45 indicates 80% year-over-year improvement. It has witnessed one upward revision against no downward movement over the past 60 days.
Alcon Inc. (ALC - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +3.13% and a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Alcon’s bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter indicates a 1.3% increase from a year ago. The company’s earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with an average surprise of 3.7%. The consensus estimate for ALC’s revenues is pegged at $2.77 billion, signaling a 7.3% increase.
Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.24% and a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Cardinal Health’s bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter suggests 16.4% year-over-year growth. Its earnings beat estimates in each of the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 10.3%. CAH’s revenues for the to-be-reported quarter are pegged at $65.61 billion, a 9.1% increase from the year-ago period.
HCA Healthcare Inc logo is seen displayed in this illustration taken April 10, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
CompaniesJuly 14 (Reuters) - HCA Healthcare (HCA.N), opens new tab lowered its annual profit forecast on Tuesday, weighed by an increase in the number of uninsured patients, primarily of those who lost coverage under the so-called "Obamacare" plans.
Shares of HCA fell nearly 10% in premarket trading.
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As subsidies under Affordable Care Act or 'Obamacare' plans expire this year, hospitals like HCA face declining patient volumes for elective surgeries and diagnostics, even as costs increase from providing uncompensated care to more uninsured patients.
For the second quarter, the hospital operator saw a 2.5% increase in same facility admissions, while inpatient and outpatient surgeries declined.
HCA sees annual profit per share between $28.7 and $30.5, compared with its previous forecast range of $29.1 to $31.5.
The hospital chain also narrowed its annual revenue forecast to a range of $77 billion to $79.5 billion, compared with its previous expectation between $76.5 billion and $80 billion.
The company reported preliminary second-quarter revenue of $20.23 billion, higher than analysts' average expectation of $19.43 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.
Reporting by Christy Santhosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
HCA v 1. čtvrtletí zvýšila kapitálové výdaje o 12,9 % na 1,1 miliardy USD a rozšířila kapacitu nemocnic i pohotovostí. Schválila také projekty za 5,5–6 miliard USD na další růst během 24 až 30 měsíců.
Key Takeaways HCA expanded sites of care, hospital beds and emergency room capacity in first-quarter 2026.HCA approved $5.5-$6 billion in capital projects to add beds and ER capacity over 24 to 30 months.HCA reaffirmed 2026 guidance as patient trends improved after early-quarter weather and seasonal pressures. HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA - Free Report) is making significant investments to expand its healthcare network, reinforcing capacity growth as a core component of its long-term strategy. Despite short-term pressure on patient volumes, it continues to add hospital beds, expand emergency room capacity and selectively acquire outpatient healthcare assets to meet future demand. In the first quarter of 2026, capital expenditures rose 12.9% year over year to $1.1 billion. During the quarter, it expanded its sites of care by more than 4%, increased hospital bed capacity by nearly 1% and added 4% to emergency room capacity.
The strategy extends beyond adding new facilities. Alongside continued investments in outpatient healthcare entities, the hospital operator agreed to acquire The College of Health Care Professions, a move that could help strengthen its future workforce. These efforts have expanded its footprint to 189 hospitals and approximately 2,600 ambulatory sites, including surgery centers, freestanding emergency rooms, urgent care centers and physician clinics.
The investment pipeline remains strong. HCA has approved $5.5-$6 billion in capital projects that are expected to add hospital beds and emergency room capacity over the next 24 to 30 months. While a milder respiratory season and January winter storms temporarily weighed on first-quarter volumes, patient trends improved through February and March, supporting the decision to reaffirm 2026 guidance.
The continued buildout of hospitals and outpatient facilities reflects HCA's long-term commitment to meeting rising healthcare demand. As these projects come online, they should improve patient access, support future patient volumes and strengthen its long-term growth outlook.
How Do Peers Compare?HCA is not alone in capitalizing on the shift toward outpatient care. Medical peers such as Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC - Free Report) and Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS - Free Report) are also expanding their outpatient and hospital networks to meet growing demand for cost-effective, high-quality care.
Tenet Healthcare continues to expand its outpatient footprint through its USPI business while selectively investing in hospital operations. Tenet Healthcare's strategy focuses on increasing ambulatory surgery center capacity, supporting long-term revenue and earnings growth.
Universal Health is expanding its healthcare network through hospital projects, behavioral health facilities and selective acquisitions. Universal Health continues to add capacity to meet rising demand, supporting its long-term growth strategy.
HCA’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of HCA Healthcare have gained 10.4% over the past year compared with the industry's 13.1% growth over the same period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, HCA trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 13.21X, down from the industry average of 16.57X. HCA carries a Value Score of A.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HCA’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $30.07 per share, implying a 6.6% jump from the year-ago period’s level.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
HCA currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
HCA Healthcare zveřejnila první pediatrickou studii CRISPR terapie exa-cel u dětí s těžkými krevními poruchami; všechny děti s beta thalassemií byly alespoň 12 měsíců bez transfuzí.
Key Takeaways HCA Healthcare published the first pediatric study of exa-cel for severe blood disorders in young children.HCA is expanding access to FDA-approved gene-editing therapies through specialized pediatric programs.HCA Healthcare continues investing in research and specialty care alongside 4.3% first-quarter revenue growth. HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA - Free Report) is expanding its presence in advanced medicine after researchers from its Sarah Cannon Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program published encouraging findings in The New England Journal of Medicine. The study found that the CRISPR gene-editing therapy, exa-cel, successfully treated children aged 5 to 11 with severe sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia. It is the first published clinical study of the therapy in this young patient group.
The study delivered encouraging results. All eligible children with beta thalassemia became transfusion-independent for at least 12 months. Children with sickle cell disease remained free of severe pain crises over the same period. The findings suggest that treating these inherited blood disorders earlier in life could help prevent years of disease-related complications. HCA is now expanding access to FDA-approved gene-editing therapies through specialized pediatric programs across its network.
The announcement supports HCA's broader strategy of combining clinical care with medical research. During its first-quarter 2026 earnings call, management highlighted continued investment in the HCA Healthcare Research Institute and the Sarah Cannon Research Institute to expand specialized care, improve patient outcomes and advance clinical research. Backed by first-quarter revenues of $19.1 billion, up 4.3% year over year, HCA continues investing in advanced treatment programs while maintaining solid operational performance.
The study is unlikely to have a material impact on HCA's near-term earnings. However, it reinforces the company's growing role in advanced specialty care and highlights the strength of its clinical research platform. Expanding access to complex gene-editing therapies could further strengthen HCA's position in advanced specialty care, enhance its research capabilities, and support long-term growth as demand for innovative treatments continues to rise.
HCA’s Stock Price PerformanceShares of HCA Healthcare have gained 3.1% over the past 12 months compared with the industry’s 9.6% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
HCA’s Zacks Rank & Key PicksHCA currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the broader Medical space are Surgery Partners, Inc. (SGRY - Free Report) , sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present, Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC - Free Report) and BrightSpring Health Services, Inc. (BTSG - Free Report) , both carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Surgery Partners’ 2026 earnings is pegged at 25 cents per share, which has witnessed one upward revision in the past 30 days, with no movement in the opposite direction. The consensus estimate for SGRY’s 2026 revenues is pinned at $3.41 billion, implying 3% year-over-year growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Tenet Healthcare’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $17.61 per share, implying 4.9% year-over-year growth. THC beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 20.6%. The consensus estimate for 2026 revenues is pinned at $22.02 billion, implying 3.3% year-over-year growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BrightSpring Health’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $1.67 per share, indicating a 66.7% year-over-year increase. BTSG beat earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 14.6%. The consensus estimate for 2026 revenues is pinned at $15.05 billion, implying 16.6% year-over-year growth.
