Due to the essentiality of healthcare, the medical sector can provide a defensive hedge against market uncertainty, and investors may be eyeing AbbVie (ABBV)  and HCA Healthcare (HCA)  stock ahead of their Q1 reports on Friday, April 25.Being the largest non-governmental operator of acute care hospitals in the United States, HCA shares are up a very respectable +11% year to date, with pharmaceutical giant AbbVie’s stock virtually flat but outperforming the benchmark S&P 500’s 10% decline as well. That said, ...

Group 1: Earnings Estimates - HCA Healthcare is expected to report first-quarter 2025 earnings of $5.77 per share on revenues of $18.31 billion, indicating a year-over-year earnings growth of 7.7% and revenue growth of 5.6% [1][2] - For the full year 2025, the revenue estimate is $74.69 billion, reflecting a 5.8% increase year-over-year, while the EPS estimate is $24.98, implying a 13.8% increase year-over-year [2] Group 2: Recent Performance - HCA Healthcare has consistently beaten earnings estimates in the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 5.9% [2] - The company has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating uncertainty regarding an earnings beat for the upcoming quarter [3] Group 3: Operational Metrics - The consensus estimate for equivalent admissions shows a 3.4% year-over-year growth, while the model predicts a 3.5% increase; revenue per equivalent admission is expected to rise by 2% [5] - Equivalent patient days are estimated to grow by 1.8% year-over-year, but rising expenses and lower occupancy rates pose challenges [6] Group 4: Expense and Occupancy Trends - Total operating expenses are projected to increase by 5.8% year-over-year, driven by higher salaries, benefits, and supply costs, with supply costs expected to rise nearly 8% [7] - The occupancy rate is estimated at 72.68%, down from 75.20% a year ago, and the average length of stay is expected to decline by 2.4% [7]

Core Insights - HCA Healthcare is expected to report quarterly earnings of $5.77 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 7.7% and revenues of $18.31 billion, up 5.6% from the previous year [1] Earnings Estimates - There have been no revisions in the consensus EPS estimate over the last 30 days, indicating stability in analysts' forecasts [1][2] Key Metrics Projections - Revenue per Equivalent Admission is projected to reach $18,026.95, compared to $17,666 in the same quarter last year [4] - Equivalent Admissions are estimated at 1.02 billion, up from 981.52 million year-over-year [4] - Admissions are expected to total 579.28 million, an increase from 560.87 million [5] - Equivalent Patient Days are projected at 4.96 million, compared to 4.87 million last year [5] - Average Length of Stay is expected to remain at 5 days, consistent with the previous year [5] - The Number of hospitals is projected to increase to 191 from 188 [6] - Inpatient Revenue per Admission is estimated at $19,580.02, up from $18,923 in the same quarter last year [6] - Licensed Beds at End of Period are expected to reach 50,132, compared to 49,724 last year [7] - Patient Days are projected at 2,817.09, up from 2,781.6 days year-over-year [7] - The Number of freestanding outpatient surgery centers is expected to be 124, compared to 121 last year [8] Stock Performance - Over the past month, HCA shares have recorded a return of -4.9%, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite has seen a decline of -8.9% [8]

Core Insights - The article discusses an investment service and community focused on the oil and natural gas sector, emphasizing cash flow and the potential for value and growth in this industry [1]. Group 1: Investment Service Features - The service offers subscribers access to a model account with over 50 stocks, detailed cash flow analyses of exploration and production (E&P) firms, and live chat discussions about the sector [2]. - A promotional offer is available for a two-week free trial, encouraging new users to explore opportunities in the oil and gas market [3].

Three major U.S. indexes the Nasdaq Composite, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed deeply in red by 9.89%, 9.58% and 8.78% respectively, last week. The stocks have taken a beating after the implementation of President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff policies with major trading partners on April 2, 2025. Uncertainty over the impact of such policies on the U.S. economy has stoked fear of a near-term recession among market participants.Analysts are expecting a slowdown in economic growth a ...

Market Overview - Wall Street experienced significant losses, with the Dow recording back-to-back losses exceeding 1,500 points on April 3 and 4, including a drop of 2,231 points on April 4, marking one of the highest single-day declines in history [4] - The S&P 500 index fell more than 10% over the last two trading days of the previous week, with a 6% drop on April 6, its worst day since March 2020, currently in correction territory with a 17% decline from its February peak [5] - The Nasdaq Composite also plummeted 6% on each of the last two trading days, now in bear territory with a 22% drop from its recent high, while the CBOE VIX reached 45 on April 4, indicating extreme market fear [6] Defensive Stocks Recommendations - Investing in defensive sectors such as consumer staples, utilities, and healthcare is recommended, with five stocks identified: Molson Coors Beverage Co. (TAP), CenterPoint Energy Inc. (CNP), WEC Energy Group Inc. (WEC), Abbott Laboratories (ABT), and HCA Healthcare Inc. (HCA) [3][7] Company Insights Molson Coors Beverage Co. (TAP) - TAP has shown strong performance in Canada and EMEA&APAC, with Q4 2024 results surpassing estimates and year-over-year earnings growth [11] - Projected sales growth for 2025 is in low-single digits, with underlying EPS expected to grow in high-single digits [12] - Current revenue and earnings growth rates are 0.1% and 6.9%, respectively, with a dividend yield of 3.07% [13] CenterPoint Energy Inc. (CNP) - CNP is positioned to benefit from rising electricity demand due to the electrification of transportation and investments in renewable energy [14] - The company is investing in infrastructure to support electric vehicle (EV) growth, including off-road electrification initiatives [16] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 3.2% and 8%, respectively, with a dividend yield of 2.44% [17] WEC Energy Group Inc. (WEC) - WEC is benefiting from both organic and inorganic growth, with strategic investments aimed at enhancing infrastructure and achieving net carbon neutrality by 2050 [18] - Demand from commercial and residential customers is improving, with expected revenue growth in the 2025-2027 period [19] - Current revenue and earnings growth rates are 9.2% and 8.5%, respectively, with a dividend yield of 3.42% [20] Abbott Laboratories (ABT) - ABT utilizes AI for healthcare solutions, including advanced medical imaging and predictive algorithms for heart attack prevention [21] - The company holds a strong position in point-of-care testing across various health areas [22] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 5.9% and 10.3%, respectively, with a dividend yield of 1.90% [23] HCA Healthcare Inc. (HCA) - HCA's revenues are increasing due to growth in admissions and surgeries, with projected revenues for 2025 between $72.8 billion and $75.8 billion, indicating a 5.2% rise from 2024 [24] - The company has benefited from acquisitions and its telemedicine business, with operating cash flows rising 11.5% year over year in 2024 [25] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 5.8% and 13.8%, respectively, with a dividend yield of 0.87% [25]

Is a recession coming? Our economic outlook seems increasingly gloomy due to President Trump's trade policies. Though things might not go that far, it's still worth planning ahead.If a recession does hit, it might also affect the stock market, and different companies and sectors will perform differently. Let's consider two stocks that should handle recessions better than most and are worth investing in for the long haul: Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX -2.01%) and HCA Healthcare (HCA -4.78%).1. Vertex Pharmace ...

Group 1 - HCA Healthcare's shares have experienced volatility over the past year but have still achieved a 5% gain [1] - Congressional Republicans are intensifying efforts on a budget reconciliation bill aimed at tax cuts, which may impact the healthcare sector [1]

Our latest available data shows that HCA has returned about 15.1% since the start of the calendar year. Meanwhile, stocks in the Medical group have gained about 3.1% on average. This means that HCA Healthcare is performing better than its sector in terms of year-to-date returns. The Medical group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Has HCA Healthcare (HCA) been one of those stocks this year? A quick glance at the company's year ...

Financial Performance - Net income for HCA Healthcare, Inc. in 2024 was $5.760 billion, or $22.00 per diluted share, compared to $5.242 billion, or $18.97 per diluted share in 2023, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 9.8% in net income [314]. - Total revenues increased to $70.603 billion in 2024, up 8.7% from $64.968 billion in 2023, driven by a 5.3% increase in equivalent admissions and a 3.2% increase in revenue per equivalent admission [315]. - Revenues increased by 8.7% to $70.603 billion for 2024 from $64.968 billion for 2023, driven by a 5.3% increase in equivalent admissions and a 3.2% increase in revenue per equivalent admission [348]. - Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc. was $5.760 billion, or $22.00 per diluted share, for 2024, compared to $5.242 billion, or $18.97 per diluted share, for 2023 [371]. Admissions and Patient Volume - Consolidated admissions rose by 5.0% in 2024, with inpatient surgical volumes increasing by 2.2%, while outpatient surgical volumes declined by 1.9% [316]. - Consolidated admissions increased by 5.0% during 2024 compared to 2023, with inpatient surgical volumes increasing by 2.2% [350]. - Same facility admissions increased by 4.9% in 2024 compared to 2023 [372]. - Average daily census increased to 29,581 in 2024 from 28,721 in 2023, reflecting higher patient volume [367]. - Emergency room visits increased by 4.8% on a consolidated basis in 2024 compared to 2023, totaling 9,789,265 visits [372]. - Same facility uninsured emergency room visits increased by 13.5% during 2024 compared to 2023 [352]. Financial Expenses and Liabilities - Interest expense for 2024 totaled $2.061 billion, an increase of $123 million from $1.938 billion in 2023, primarily due to a higher average debt balance [318]. - Interest expense rose to $2.061 billion in 2024 from $1.938 billion in 2023, primarily due to an increase in average debt balance [379]. - Professional liability provisions for the current year claims were $545 million for 2024, compared to $573 million for 2023 [343]. - Reserves for professional liability risks were $2.131 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to $2.089 billion at December 31, 2023, with a current portion of $587 million [342]. - The estimated total net reserves for professional liability risks at December 31, 2024, included $1.059 billion for case reserves for known claims and $992 million for reserves for incurred but not reported claims [342]. Operating Activities and Cash Flow - Cash flows from operating activities increased by $1.083 billion to $10.514 billion in 2024, attributed to a $542 million increase in net income and a positive change in working capital items [319]. - Cash provided by operating activities totaled $10.514 billion in 2024, an increase of $1.083 billion compared to $9.431 billion in 2023 [384]. - Cash used in investing activities was $4.933 billion in 2024, compared to $5.317 billion in 2023 [385]. - Cash used in financing activities totaled $4.582 billion in 2024, up from $4.094 billion in 2023 [388]. Strategic Initiatives - HCA Healthcare plans to expand its presence in existing markets by developing outpatient facilities and comprehensive service lines, including cardiology and oncology [320]. - The company aims to achieve industry-leading performance in clinical and operational measures through initiatives focused on patient safety and satisfaction [322]. - HCA Healthcare emphasizes recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals to ensure high-quality services, supported by advanced technology and expanded specialty services [323]. - The company intends to pursue a disciplined development strategy, focusing on selectively developing and acquiring new hospitals and outpatient facilities to capitalize on growth opportunities [325]. Cost and Revenue Ratios - The cost-to-charges ratio for patient care costs was 10.1% for 2024, down from 10.5% in 2023 [334]. - Salaries and benefits as a percentage of revenues decreased to 44.1% in 2024 from 45.4% in 2023 [374]. - Other operating expenses increased to 21.0% of revenues in 2024 from 19.8% in 2023, primarily due to increased costs for state provider fees and repairs related to Hurricane Milton [376]. Long-term Debt and Tax Matters - Total long-term debt was $43.031 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to $39.593 billion at December 31, 2023 [394]. - The estimated fair value of total long-term debt was $40.845 billion at December 31, 2024 [406]. - The average effective interest rate for long-term debt remained at 5.0% for both 2024 and 2023 [379]. - The IRS completed examinations of the company's 2016, 2017, and 2018 income tax returns, resolving all federal income tax matters for those years [408]. - As of December 31, 2024, the IRS is examining the company's 2022 and 2023 income tax returns, along with the 2019 returns of certain affiliates [408]. - The company believes it has properly reported taxable income and paid taxes in accordance with applicable laws, minimizing potential adverse effects on financial position [408]. - Future tax resolutions could materially impact the company's results if payments exceed recorded estimates [408].