Core Insights - HCA Healthcare is leveraging AI to enhance its operations and improve patient outcomes, particularly in nurse staffing and fetal heart rate monitoring [3][6][8] Group 1: AI Initiatives - HCA Healthcare has implemented an AI-driven nurse staffing tool to address nurse shortages and burnout, optimizing scheduling and improving patient safety [3][4] - The company is collaborating with GE Healthcare to develop an AI-powered fetal heart rate monitor, allowing doctors to monitor more patients effectively [6] Group 2: Company Performance - HCA Healthcare is one of the largest hospital chains in the U.S., with a strong track record of success attributed to investments in technology [7] - The company is well-positioned for long-term performance, supported by a diversified network, strong relationships with stakeholders, and increasing healthcare spending due to an aging population [8]

Core Viewpoint - HCA Healthcare Inc. is identified as one of the most undervalued large-cap stocks, with recent price target increases from RBC Capital and TD Cowen following strong Q4 2025 results and positive 2026 guidance [1][3] Group 1: Financial Performance - RBC Capital raised its price target for HCA Healthcare to $555 from $525, maintaining an Outperform rating, citing strong Q4 2025 results and robust 2026 guidance [1] - TD Cowen increased its price target from $490 to $529 with a Buy rating after HCA's Q4 2025 EBITDA exceeded consensus expectations, attributing this to effective expense controls [3] Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - HCA Healthcare is expected to achieve $400 million in savings from strategic resiliency initiatives, which will help offset challenges such as the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits and reduced contributions from state programs [1][2] - The company is leveraging its scale and data-driven efficiencies to drive growth despite a changing regulatory and payer landscape [2] Group 3: Company Overview - HCA Healthcare operates hospitals and related healthcare entities in the US, providing general and acute care services [4]

RBC Capital raised the firm’s price target on HCA Healthcare (HCA) to $555 from $525 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm was “pleased” to see a strong reaction in shares after a solid Q4 result and strong initial 2026 guidance, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The 2026 full year outlook reflects better than expected core performance as well as $400M in savings from resiliency efforts that more than offset the ePTC expiry and lower contribution from state supplemental progra ...

This story was originally published on Healthcare Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Healthcare Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: HCA Healthcare, one of the largest for-profit hospital operators in the country, said it could lose more than $1 billion this year due to the expiration of more generous Affordable Care Act subsidies and a decline in its Medicaid state supplemental payments. Executives on a Tuesday call with investors said HCA could lose between $600 million to ...

HCA Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:HCA) released mixed fourth-quarter 2025 financial results on Tuesday.HCA reported total revenues of $19.513 billion, representing a 6.7% year-over-year increase, missing the consensus estimate of $19.67 billion. • HCA Healthcare stock is feeling bearish pressure. What’s behind HCA decline?The hospital chain operator reported adjusted earnings of $8.01, up from $6.22 a year ago, surpassing the consensus of $7.43.HCA Healthcare forecasts fiscal 2026 earnings of $29.10-$31.50 per shar ...

HCA Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:HCA) released mixed fourth-quarter 2025 financial results on Tuesday.HCA reported total revenues of $19.513 billion, representing a 6.7% year-over-year increase, missing the consensus estimate of $19.67 billion. The hospital chain operator reported adjusted earnings of $8.01, up from $6.22 a year ago, surpassing the consensus of $7.43."We finished 2025 with strong performance consistent with previous quarters. Our investments in network expansion, workforce development, and advanci ...

HCA Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:HCA) released mixed fourth-quarter 2025 financial results on Tuesday.HCA reported total revenues of $19.513 billion, representing a 6.7% year-over-year increase, missing the consensus estimate of $19.67 billion. The hospital chain operator reported adjusted earnings of $8.01, up from $6.22 a year ago, surpassing the consensus of $7.43."We finished 2025 with strong performance consistent with previous quarters. Our investments in network expansion, workforce development, and advanci ...

Core Insights - HCA Healthcare reported fourth-quarter earnings of $8.01 per share, surpassing analyst expectations of $7.45, leading to a 6% increase in pre-market trading [1] - Revenue for the quarter was $19.51 billion, a 6.7% year-over-year increase, although it fell short of the forecasted $19.67 billion [1] Financial Performance - Same-facility admissions rose by 2.4% year-over-year, while equivalent admissions increased by 2.5% [2] - Revenue per equivalent admission grew by 2.9% year-over-year, indicating improved pricing trends [2] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 10.8% to $4.11 billion, with margins expanding to 21.1% from 20.3% a year earlier [2] Future Outlook - HCA issued a positive outlook for 2026, projecting earnings between $29.10 and $31.50 per share, exceeding the analyst consensus of $27.70 [3] - The company also forecasts revenue between $76.5 billion and $80.0 billion, surpassing expectations of $75.74 billion [3]

Chief Financial Officer Mike Marks provided same-facility volume details for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with the fourth quarter of 2024:For the fourth quarter, Hazen said revenue increased 6.7% year over year, and the company improved margins both sequentially and year over year with “disciplined expense management.” He added that net income attributable to HCA Healthcare rose nearly 31% in the quarter, while diluted earnings per share as adjusted increased 29% and adjusted EBITDA increased about 1 ...

Key Takeaways HCA reported Q4 EPS of $8.01, up 28.8% year over year and 8.8% above the consensus estimate.Results were driven by gains in admissions, ER visits and revenue per equivalent admission.HCA projects 2026 EPS of $29.10-$31.50 and EBITDA of $15.55B-$16.45B.HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) reported fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $8.01, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.8%. The bottom line advanced 28.8% year over year.Revenues rose 6.7% year over year to $19.5 bill ...