Will Rising Costs Hurt HCA Healthcare Q3 Earnings? Key Estimates Here

Core Insights - HCA Healthcare, Inc. is scheduled to report its third-quarter 2025 results on October 24, 2025, with earnings estimated at $5.65 per share and revenues at $18.5 billion [1] Financial Performance - The earnings estimate for the third quarter has remained stable over the past 60 days, indicating a year-over-year growth of 11.9%, while revenues are expected to increase by 5.8% year-over-year [2] - For the full year 2025, the revenue estimate stands at $74.86 billion, reflecting a 6% year-over-year rise, and the EPS estimate is $26.17, indicating a 19.2% increase year-over-year [3] Earnings Prediction - HCA Healthcare has consistently beaten earnings estimates in the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 7% [3] - However, the current model does not predict a definitive earnings beat for the upcoming quarter, as the company has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [4] Operational Metrics - The consensus estimate for equivalent admissions in Q3 suggests a 2% year-over-year growth, while the model estimate indicates a 3.1% increase [5] - The projected occupancy rate is 73.4%, up from 71.9% a year ago, and equivalent patient days are expected to grow by 0.9% year-over-year [6] Cost Pressures - Total operating expenses are projected to increase by 5.9% year-over-year, driven by higher salaries, supply costs, and other operating expenses, with supply costs expected to rise by 9.2% [7] - Outpatient surgery cases are anticipated to decline by 1.8% year-over-year, and the average length of stay is expected to decrease by 1.2% [7]