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Key Takeaways Tenet Healthcare's hospital adjusted admissions rose 2.6%, while revenue per admission increased 3.3%.Hospital adjusted EBITDA jumped 22.3% to $762 million, lifting the margin to 18% from 15.6%.Management expects $2.67-$2.81 billion in 2026 Hospital adjusted EBITDA despite exchange revenue pressure. Tenet Healthcare Corporation’s (THC - Free Report) second-quarter 2026 results show why its Hospital Operations segment remains an important earnings driver. Despite pressure from weaker exchange enrollment, the segment delivered stronger volumes, better revenue per patient and meaningful margin improvement, giving investors a reason to remain optimistic about the earnings outlook.

Hospital adjusted admissions increased 2.6% year over year, while revenue per adjusted admission rose 3.3%. This combination is encouraging because THC is benefiting from both healthy patient demand and a better mix of services. The improvement in revenue per admission reflects its focus on higher-acuity care, while stronger commercial revenues are helping support top-line growth.

The hospital segment is translating this momentum into stronger profitability. Hospital adjusted EBITDA jumped 22.3% to $762 million, significantly faster than revenue growth, while the margin expanded to 18% from 15.6% a year ago. This suggests its cost-management efforts are helping convert operational growth into stronger profits.

However, exchange weakness remains a caution. Exchange revenues fell 17% in the second quarter of 2026 and are expected to remain under pressure. Still, continued volume growth, better acuity and cost discipline should help offset some of that weakness. The company’s $2.67-$2.81 billion 2026 Hospital adjusted EBITDA guidance signals confidence in continued underlying improvement, positioning the segment as a potential near-term tailwind for THC’s earnings.

Peer PerformanceTenet is not the only one benefiting from healthy demand for hospital care. Healthcare peers, including Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS - Free Report) and HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA - Free Report) , also reported solid hospital volume and revenue growth in the second quarter of 2026.

Universal Health delivered strong hospital performance, with acute-care adjusted admissions rising 2.9%. UHS’ net revenue per adjusted admission increased 3.0%, while same-facility acute-care revenues grew 8.2%, reflecting continued strength across its hospital operations.

HCA Healthcare posted solid hospital growth in the second quarter of 2026, with same-facility equivalent admissions increasing 2.7%. HCA’s revenue per equivalent admission also rose 6.4%, pointing to healthy demand and a favorable patient mix.

THC’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Tenet Healthcare have gained 56.4% over the past year compared with the industry's 28% growth over the same period.

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From a valuation standpoint, THC trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 13.43X, up from the industry average of 11.28X. THC carries a Value Scoreof A.

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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for THC’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $20.16 per share, implying a 20.1% jump from the year-ago period’s level.

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THC currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Key Takeaways Tenet Healthcare reports Q2 results on July 24, with estimates calling for 1.5% EPS and 2.3% revenue growth.THC's Ambulatory Care business is expected to benefit from same-facility revenue growth and acquisitions.Tenet Healthcare faces pressure from lower patient days, shorter stays and higher costs. Hospital operator Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC - 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 $4.08 per share on revenues of $5.39 billion. 

The second-quarter earnings estimate has decreased 3 cents over the past 60 days. Yet, the bottom-line projection indicates a year-over-year increase of 1.5%. Also, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues suggests year-over-year growth of 2.3%.

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For full-year 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Tenet Healthcare’s revenues is pegged at $21.98 billion, implying a rise of 3.1% year over year. The consensus mark for 2026 earnings per share is pegged at $17.50, indicating a jump of 4.3% on a year-over-year basis.

Tenet Healthcare beat the consensus estimate for earnings in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 20.6%, as you can see below.

Q2 Earnings Whispers for THCHowever, our 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.

THC has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and carries 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 THC’s Q2 Results?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for adjusted patient admissions in total hospital operations suggests a 2.2% year-over-year decline. However, on the same hospital basis, the consensus estimate for adjusted patient admissions indicates a 1% increase from a year ago. The consensus mark for net patient revenues per adjusted admission in the second quarter signals a 10.2% year-over-year increase.

Meanwhile, the Ambulatory Care business is likely to have gained from strong growth in consolidated same-facility net patient service revenues, contributions from facility acquisitions and an expansion of service lines. Our model estimate for the Ambulatory Care segment’s net operating revenues suggests 7.8% growth from the prior-year quarter’s figure, whereas the consensus estimate indicates an 8.4% increase. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for adjusted EBITDA from Ambulatory Care operations suggests 5.1% year-over-year growth.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Hospital Operations and Services revenues for the second quarter is pegged at just a little over $4 billion, indicating a 0.1% increase from the year-ago period. However, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for adjusted EBITDA from the segment suggests a 2.8% year-over-year fall.

Both the consensus estimate and our model estimate suggest that second-quarter total hospital patient days have decreased 3% year over year. Both the Zacks Consensus Estimate and our model estimate for the average length of stay in total hospital indicate a 0.2% decrease from a year ago. Also, with increased utilization, costs are expected to have increased in the second quarter, making an earnings beat uncertain.

Stocks That Warrant a LookWhile an earnings beat looks uncertain for Tenet 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 an 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.

Key Takeaways Tenet Healthcare is benefiting from rising adjusted admissions and strong Ambulatory Care growth.THC's earnings estimates moved higher, with projected 5% EPS growth and four straight earnings beats.Tenet Healthcare faces rising operating expenses despite cost-control efforts, posing a margin risk. Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC - Free Report) is well-poised to grow, backed by the expanding adjusted admissions. Its solid Ambulatory Care segment performance is also a major tailwind. In the year-to-date period, shares of Tenet Healthcare have gained 2.6% against the industry’s 5.5% fall. Headquartered in Dallas, TX, THC operates as a provider of diversified healthcare services and has a market cap of $17.5 billion.

Driven by its solid prospects, this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock is worth adding to your portfolio at the moment.

Let’s delve deeper.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Tenet Healthcare’s current-year earnings is pegged at $17.61 per share, which has witnessed two upward estimate revisions in the past 60 days against none in the opposite direction. The estimate indicates 5% year-over-year growth. Tenet Healthcare beat on earnings in all the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 20.6%.

The consensus mark for current-year revenues is pegged at $22.02 billion, signaling a 3.3% increase from a year ago. The company’s solid organic growth, supported by rising patient revenue per adjusted admission and a favorable shift toward higher-acuity services, is likely to support the top line. Favorable demographic trends, such as an aging population and rising chronic disease prevalence, are expected to sustain volume growth and support long-term revenue and earnings expansion.

THC's performance is benefiting from strong growth in its Ambulatory Care segment, driven by same-facility revenue gains, tuck-in acquisitions of ambulatory surgery centers and surgical hospitals, and continued expansion of the USPI platform. It had interests in 541 ambulatory surgery centers and 26 surgical hospitals in 37 states as of March 31, 2026. Ambulatory net operating revenues increased 17.3% in 2024, 14.1% in 2025 and 10.6% year over year in the first quarter of 2026.

THC's return on assets of 5.15% is higher than the industry average of 4.24%, indicating that the company is generating superior returns from its asset base, reflecting stronger operational efficiency and effective capital deployment compared with its peers.

Key Risk to MonitorHowever, investors should keep an eye on the company's expense profile. While Tenet Healthcare has implemented cost-control initiatives, including workforce optimization and renegotiated supplier and vendor contracts, expenses have continued to rise. Operating expenses increased 20.6% in 2025 and a further 4.6% year over year in the first quarter of 2026. Total expenses also rose as a percentage of sales. Persistent labor cost pressures, inflation in medical supplies and other inputs, and higher patient acuity are expected to keep expenses elevated, potentially weighing on margins.

Other Key PicksSome other top-ranked stocks in the broader Medical space are CVS Health Corporation (CVS - Free Report) , agilon health, inc. (AGL - Free Report) and Biodesix, Inc. (BDSX - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CVS Health’s 2026 bottom line suggests 10.2% year-over-year growth. CVS has witnessed 12 upward estimate revisions over the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. It beat earnings estimates in all the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 16.8%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for agilon health’s full-year 2026 earnings indicates a 92.4% year-over-year improvement. AGL has witnessed two upward estimate revisions over the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. The consensus mark for current-year revenues is currently pegged at $5.72 billion.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Biodesix’s 2026 full-year earnings implies a 37.7% improvement from the year-ago reported figure. BDSX beat earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters and missed once, with an average surprise of 25.6%. The consensus mark for its current-year revenues is pegged at $110.95 million, which indicates a 25.4% year-over-year increase.