HCA Healthcare Inc (HCA)

Over the past six months, HCA Healthcare's stock has shown positive movement. As of October 3, 2025, the share price was $429.54, representing a 9.00% increase from October 4, 2024. More recently, as of October 1, 2025, the stock was up 4.91% over the past 30 days. In the first quarter of 2025, HCA reported solid volume growth, an improved payer mix, and wider margins, leading management to reaffirm its full-year guidance. This positive performance was attributed to broad-based market share gains and healthier macroeconomic fundamentals, with commercial admissions growing significantly and favorable payer mix trends.

While specific detailed seasonality for all HCA Healthcare products and services in the past year is not extensively detailed, the healthcare industry generally experiences seasonal fluctuations in demand. For instance, there is a predictable rise in demand for certain medical products and services, such as flu vaccines, during the fall and winter seasons. HCA Healthcare executives, as of October 2022, anticipated a return to normal seasonality trends, which they expected to lead to higher outpatient surgery volumes during the fourth quarter. The demand for healthcare services is generally considered inelastic and not highly sensitive to interest rate changes, providing a degree of stability.

HCA Healthcare, Inc. is an American for-profit operator of healthcare facilities, founded in 1968 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The company operates within the healthcare sector, primarily in the hospital and ambulatory surgery center industries, providing a comprehensive range of medical services. HCA is also a significant provider of clinical and medical education, being the largest sponsor of graduate medical education programs in the U.S. and operating nursing colleges and simulation training centers.

HCA Healthcare's operations are primarily concentrated in the United States and the United Kingdom. As of late 2024, the company owned and operated approximately 190 hospitals and around 2,400 ambulatory sites of care across 20 states in the U.S. and in the United Kingdom. A substantial portion of its U.S. facilities are located in Florida and Texas, with a strong presence also in states like North Carolina and Tennessee. HCA UK operates private hospitals and clinics, mainly in London and Manchester.

HCA Healthcare has maintained a strong brand reputation in the past year. In April 2025, Fortune named HCA Healthcare to its 2025 World's Most Admired Companies list, where it ranked first overall in its industry. The company was also recognized on Fortune's America's Most Innovative Companies list in 2025. In early 2024, 54 HCA Healthcare hospitals were included on Healthgrades' 250 Best Hospitals list for clinical excellence. HCA Healthcare was also recognized for the second consecutive year as a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion" by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability:IN, achieving a top score of 100 on the 2023 Disability Equality Index®. The company's 2024 Annual Impact Report highlighted its positive contributions to communities, advancements in technology, and commitment to patient care.

Institutional investors hold a significant portion of HCA Healthcare's shares. As of December 31, 2024, institutional investors held approximately 74.08% of the company's shares. Major institutional owners include Vanguard Group Inc, BlackRock Inc, Sanders Capital, LLC, State Street Corp, Capital World Investors, and Wellington Management Group LLP. Among individual investors, William R. Frist is noted as owning the most shares.