HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) Price Target Raised to $381.00

by · The Markets Daily

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCAFree Report) had its price objective increased by Wells Fargo & Company from $369.00 to $381.00 in a report issued on Monday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have an equal weight rating on the stock.

Several other research firms have also commented on HCA. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $476.00 price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare in a research report on Monday, July 27th. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $635.00 to $579.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on HCA Healthcare from $396.00 to $393.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price objective on HCA Healthcare from $558.00 to $485.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, Stephens decreased their price target on HCA Healthcare from $560.00 to $530.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 27th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, HCA Healthcare currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $465.59.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on HCA

HCA Healthcare Trading Up 2.3%

Shares of HCA stock opened at $409.78 on Monday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $387.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $449.42. HCA Healthcare has a 12-month low of $353.99 and a 12-month high of $556.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $88.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 1.10.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCAGet Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 24th. The company reported $7.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $7.56 by $0.03. HCA Healthcare had a negative return on equity of 244.79% and a net margin of 8.77%.The business had revenue of $20.23 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.76 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $6.84 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that HCA Healthcare will post 29.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

HCA Healthcare Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.78 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 16th. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. HCA Healthcare’s payout ratio is presently 10.45%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Norges Bank bought a new stake in HCA Healthcare during the 4th quarter valued at $1,262,513,000. Life Cycle Investment Partners Ltd purchased a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare during the fourth quarter valued at $374,037,000. Viking Global Investors LP lifted its stake in HCA Healthcare by 58.5% in the second quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 1,872,133 shares of the company’s stock worth $717,214,000 after acquiring an additional 690,773 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its position in HCA Healthcare by 4,545.5% during the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 663,337 shares of the company’s stock valued at $309,686,000 after purchasing an additional 649,058 shares during the period. Finally, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund boosted its stake in shares of HCA Healthcare by 5,941.1% during the first quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 381,433 shares of the company’s stock valued at $180,509,000 after purchasing an additional 375,119 shares in the last quarter. 62.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key HCA Healthcare News

Here are the key news stories impacting HCA Healthcare this week:

  • Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo analyst commentary indicated that HCA Healthcare’s stock is expected to rise, reinforcing a favorable Wall Street view of the company’s outlook. HCA Healthcare Stock Price Expected to Rise, Wells Fargo Analyst Says
  • Positive Sentiment: HCA Healthcare acquired 40 Texas urgent-care centers from Texas MedClinic, expanding its outpatient footprint and adding facilities in a growing, lower-cost segment of healthcare delivery. The clinics are being rebranded under HCA’s network, which could support referral growth and operating synergies. HCA Acquires 40 Texas Urgent Care Centers
  • Neutral Sentiment: An independent monitor discussed HCA’s ownership of Mission Hospital. The report keeps attention on oversight and performance at the North Carolina facility, but the article does not indicate a new financial penalty or material change to HCA’s operations. Independent Monitor Discusses HCA’s Ownership of Mission Hospital
  • Negative Sentiment: Several law firms announced investigations into HCA and possible securities-law violations following the company’s preliminary operating and financial disclosures. These notices are generally solicitations for investors and do not establish wrongdoing, but they add headline risk and could lead to litigation costs or additional scrutiny. HCA Shareholder Alert Pomerantz Investor Alert Bragar Eagel & Squire Investigation Alert

HCA Healthcare Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

HCA Healthcare is a for‑profit operator of healthcare facilities headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1968, the company owns and operates a network of hospitals and related healthcare facilities and has grown through organic expansion and acquisitions to become a large provider of inpatient and outpatient services.

The company’s core activities include the operation of acute care hospitals, freestanding surgical and emergency centers, and outpatient clinics. HCA’s services encompass inpatient care, surgical services, emergency medicine, diagnostic imaging and laboratory testing, and various outpatient and ambulatory care offerings.

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