HCA Healthcare Inc (HCA)

HCA Healthcare's stock experienced positive momentum in the past six months, reaching a new 12-month high in October 2025, influenced by strong financial results in Q3 2025. The company reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $6.96 and revenue of $19.16 billion, exceeding analyst estimates. Following these results, HCA Healthcare raised its full-year 2025 guidance for revenue, net income, and diluted EPS, leading to several research firms raising their price targets. The stock's performance in Q1 2025 also showed strong revenue growth and rising demand.

HCA Healthcare experiences demand seasonality for its products and services, with executives noting a "return to normal volume seasonality." The company observed strong demand for healthcare services in Q3 2025, with increases in same-facility equivalent admissions, surgical volumes, and ER visits. Management anticipates continued demand for healthcare services, projecting volumes to grow within a 2% to 3% range long-term. The fourth quarter has historically shown higher outpatient surgery volumes. A slow start to the respiratory season in 2025 impacted year-over-year growth rates in admissions and ER visits.

HCA Healthcare, Inc. is a for-profit operator of healthcare facilities, founded in 1968 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The company specializes in owning and operating a diverse range of healthcare facilities, including hospital services, ambulatory care, and emergency care. HCA Healthcare is committed to advancing medical research, education, and community health initiatives, with a focus on specialties such as cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, and women's health.

HCA Healthcare operates approximately 190 hospitals and around 2,400 ambulatory sites of care across 20 to 21 U.S. states and the UK. Key states with a strong presence include Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, Colorado, and North Carolina. In the United Kingdom, HCA International operates private hospitals and clinics, predominantly in London and Manchester.

HCA Healthcare has received positive recognition for its brand reputation in the past year. Fortune ranked HCA Healthcare first in its industry on the "World's Most Admired Companies" list, and Ethisphere recognized HCA Healthcare as one of the "2024 World's Most Ethical Companies" for the 14th time. Numerous HCA Healthcare hospitals were included in prestigious lists for clinical excellence in both 2024 and 2025. However, in August 2025, HCA Healthcare faced criticism regarding compliance delays related to its 2019 acquisition of Mission Health.

HCA Healthcare's ownership is largely dominated by institutional investors, who held approximately 74.08% of the shares as of December 31, 2024. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group Inc., BlackRock, Inc., Sanders Capital, LLC, and State Street Corp. Individual investors and insiders also hold portions of the stock, with insiders holding approximately 61.43% and retail investors holding around 6.34%. Dr. Thomas F. Frist Jr., one of the company's founders, owns a substantial amount of HCA Healthcare shares.