HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) Hits New 52-Week High – Still a Buy?

HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $512.66 and last traded at $501.0520, with a volume of 3166978 shares. The stock had previously closed at $491.00.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

HCA has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare from $485.00 to $525.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $449.00 to $482.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Mizuho boosted their price objective on HCA Healthcare from $475.00 to $505.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. TD Cowen lifted their price target on HCA Healthcare from $380.00 to $490.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Stephens raised their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $450.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $474.53.

HCA Healthcare Stock Down 0.2%

The firm has a market cap of $117.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.89, a P/E/G ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.41. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $447.58 and a 200 day moving average of $404.31.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The company reported $6.96 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.64 by $1.32. The firm had revenue of $19.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.55 billion. HCA Healthcare had a net margin of 8.53% and a negative return on equity of 792.25%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $4.90 EPS. HCA Healthcare has set its FY 2025 guidance at 27.000-28.000 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that HCA Healthcare, Inc. will post 24.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

HCA Healthcare Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 29th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a $0.72 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $2.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. HCA Healthcare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 11.13%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Michael S. Cuffe sold 3,836 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $418.84, for a total value of $1,606,670.24. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 31,503 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $13,194,716.52. This trade represents a 10.85% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Michael R. Mcalevey sold 3,892 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $473.79, for a total value of $1,843,990.68. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 3,487 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,652,105.73. The trade was a 52.74% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 1.30% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On HCA Healthcare

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Palisade Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the third quarter worth about $26,000. Chung Wu Investment Group LLC bought a new stake in HCA Healthcare during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Clearstead Trust LLC lifted its holdings in shares of HCA Healthcare by 311.8% during the second quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 70 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares during the period. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in HCA Healthcare in the second quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Cheviot Value Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare in the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.73% of the company’s stock.

About HCA Healthcare

HCA Healthcare, Inc, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates hospitals and related healthcare entities in the United States. It operates general and acute care hospitals that offers medical and surgical services, including inpatient care, intensive care, cardiac care, diagnostic, and emergency services; and outpatient services, such as outpatient surgery, laboratory, radiology, respiratory therapy, cardiology, and physical therapy.