HCA Healthcare Inc (HCA)

HCA Healthcare reported strong fourth-quarter 2025 performance and issued higher-than-expected guidance for 2026, leading to a stock increase. Revenues for the fourth quarter increased by 6.7% year-over-year to $19.5 billion, and net income attributable to HCA rose by 30.6% to $1.9 billion. For the full year 2025, revenues grew by approximately 7.1% to $75.6 billion, and net income was $6.8 billion. The company authorized a new $10 billion share repurchase program. Executives anticipate an adjusted EBITDA hit of $600 million to $900 million in 2026 due to changes in the health insurance exchange market. The stock price has increased by 55.89% over the last 12 months and 4.72% in the past month. HCA Healthcare reached an all-time high closing stock price of $515.08 on November 25, 2025, and its 52-week high was $527.55 on January 27, 2026.

Demand for healthcare services exhibits seasonal patterns, with increased hospital admissions during winter due to cold-related illnesses. Conditions like alcohol-related hepatitis show higher admission rates in the summer, and mental health-related emergency department presentations peak in spring and summer.

HCA Healthcare, Inc. is a for-profit operator of healthcare facilities, primarily offering hospital services, ambulatory care, emergency care, acute care, surgical services, imaging and diagnostic services, and laboratory services. They also operate physician practices, freestanding emergency rooms, surgery centers, behavioral health sites, home health and hospice agencies, and urgent care clinics.

HCA Healthcare operates 190 hospitals and approximately 2,500 ambulatory care sites across 19 states in the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

HCA Healthcare has maintained a positive brand reputation, with 49 hospitals named on the Healthgrades America's 250 Best Hospitals list in 2025. Additionally, 36 HCA Healthcare hospitals were recognized by Fortune/PINCAI as "100 Top Hospitals" in 2024. The company collected 21,137 pounds of medications during its sixth annual "Crush the Crisis" event and pledged $1 million towards Hurricane Helene disaster relief efforts.

HCA Healthcare's ownership is primarily held by institutional investors, accounting for approximately 62.73% of the company's stock. Other data indicates institutional ownership at 51.15%, insiders at 42.45%, and public companies and individual investors at 25.73%. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group Inc., BlackRock, Inc., Sanders Capital, LLC, and State Street Corp.