HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) Price Target Raised to $490.00

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) had its target price raised by KeyCorp from $435.00 to $490.00 in a report released on Wednesday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. KeyCorp currently has an overweight rating on the stock.

Several other equities research analysts also recently commented on HCA. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a “market perform” rating on shares of HCA Healthcare in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of HCA Healthcare in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $476.00 price target on shares of HCA Healthcare in a research note on Monday, July 27th. TD Cowen raised their price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare from $431.00 to $460.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 12th. Finally, Leerink Partners restated an “outperform” rating and set a $492.00 target price on shares of HCA Healthcare in a research report on Friday, September 18th. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, HCA Healthcare has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $475.70.

HCA Healthcare Price Performance

HCA opened at $472.94 on Wednesday. HCA Healthcare has a 1 year low of $353.99 and a 1 year high of $556.52. The company has a market capitalization of $102.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.10. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $437.44 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $444.90.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 27th. The company reported $7.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.65 by $0.57. The firm had revenue of $19.85 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.33 billion. HCA Healthcare had a negative return on equity of 198.52% and a net margin of 8.61%. The company’s revenue was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $6.96 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that HCA Healthcare will post 30.16 EPS for the current year.

HCA Healthcare Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 29th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 15th will be given a dividend of $0.78 per share. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 15th. HCA Healthcare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 10.45%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On HCA Healthcare

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. MidFirst Bank acquired a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Clearstead Trust LLC bought a new stake in HCA Healthcare in the second quarter valued at $29,000. Latitude Advisors LLC bought a new stake in HCA Healthcare in the third quarter valued at $32,000. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC acquired a new position in HCA Healthcare during the first quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Delos Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare during the second quarter valued at $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.73% of the company’s stock.

Key HCA Healthcare News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Royal Bank of Canada raised its HCA price target from $496 to $521 and reaffirmed an “outperform” rating, implying roughly 10% upside from the referenced trading level. Royal Bank of Canada analyst action
• Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen increased its price target for HCA Healthcare, adding to the series of favorable analyst revisions following the company’s latest results. TD Cowen price target article
• Positive Sentiment: KeyCorp also boosted its HCA price target, reinforcing Wall Street’s constructive view of the hospital operator. KeyCorp price target article
• Positive Sentiment: Robert W. Baird raised its target as well, suggesting analysts see further value after HCA’s quarterly earnings beat. Robert W. Baird price target article
• Positive Sentiment: HCA said 102 hospitals received Healthgrades recognition for specialty-care excellence, potentially supporting the company’s reputation, patient demand and competitive positioning. Healthgrades recognition announcement
• Neutral Sentiment: HCA HealthONE agreed to pay $14.5 million for a Wheat Ridge retail center and plans to develop a medical park. The project could expand local capacity, but its financial contribution and execution timeline remain uncertain. Wheat Ridge medical park article
• Neutral Sentiment: A St. David’s HealthCare CEO plans to retire in March, creating a leadership transition within an HCA-affiliated system. St. David’s CEO retirement article
• Negative Sentiment: Pomerantz LLP announced an investigation into potential claims on behalf of HCA investors. The announcement does not establish wrongdoing, but adds legal and headline risk that can pressure the stock. Pomerantz investor investigation announcement

About HCA Healthcare

HCA Healthcare, Inc is a healthcare services company that operates hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, emergency care facilities, physician practices and other healthcare sites. Its facilities provide a broad range of services, including acute and emergency care, surgery, cardiology, oncology, women’s and children’s services, behavioral health and outpatient care.

The company serves patients primarily across the United States through a network of healthcare facilities in numerous states.