HCA Healthcare Inc. (HCA) Stock

HCA Healthcare Inc. trades at a P/E ratio of 17.60, which is near the market average of approximately 20, suggesting the market views it as fairly valued relative to its earnings. Looking ahead, the forward P/E of 14.71 is lower than the current P/E, indicating analysts expect earnings to grow over the next year. The PEG ratio of 1.20 indicates reasonable value when growth is considered.

With a beta of 1.42, HCA Healthcare Inc. is roughly as volatile as the market, moving in line with broad market trends. This moderate beta suggests the stock offers market-level returns without excessive volatility. The price-to-book ratio of 293.44 shows investors value the company above its book value, which often reflects intangible assets or growth prospects.

HCA Healthcare Inc. achieves a profit margin of 8.21%, meaning it retains $8.21 from every $100 in revenue after all expenses. This represents a solid margin typical of well-run businesses, showing the company can effectively balance revenue generation with cost control. The operating margin of 16.00% reveals how efficiently the company runs its core business operations before interest and taxes. With ROE at 136.30% and ROA at 11.80%, the company generates strong returns on invested capital.

HCA Healthcare Inc.'s revenue grew by 6.40% year-over-year, showing steady progress in growing the business. This positive trajectory indicates the company maintains competitive positioning in its markets. Earnings increased by 23.50% year-over-year, outpacing revenue growth through improved margins. These growth metrics should be evaluated against MEDICAL CARE FACILITIES industry averages for proper context.

HCA Healthcare Inc. offers a dividend yield of 0.66%, paying $2.76 per share annually. This modest yield below 2% suggests the company prioritizes growth investments over current income. While the dividend provides some return, investors are likely attracted more by capital appreciation potential than income generation. To receive the next dividend, shares must be purchased before the ex-dividend date of Sep 16, 2025.

The dividend sustainability can be assessed through the payout ratio - HCA Healthcare Inc. pays $2.76 per share in dividends against earnings of $23.91 per share, resulting in a payout ratio of 11.54%. This conservative payout below 30% indicates excellent dividend safety with substantial room for future increases. The company retains most earnings for growth while still rewarding shareholders. The next dividend payment is scheduled for Sep 30, 2025.

HCA Healthcare Inc. has a market capitalization of $98.5B, classifying it as a large-cap stock ($10B-$200B). Large-caps are typically industry leaders with established business models, offering a balance of stability and growth potential. They often provide dividend income and are core holdings in institutional portfolios. With 233.99M shares outstanding, the company's ownership is relatively concentrated. As a participant in the MEDICAL CARE FACILITIES industry, it competes with other firms in this sector.

HCA Healthcare Inc.'s book value per share is -$18.61, while the current stock price is $465.31, resulting in a price-to-book (P/B) ratio of -25.00. Trading below book value can indicate the market perceives challenges ahead, or it might represent a value opportunity if the assets are quality and earnings can recover. Value investors often screen for P/B ratios below 1.0. As a common stock, this represents equity ownership with voting rights.

25 analysts cover HCA with 56% recommending buy/strong buy ratings. Analyst predictions have mixed reliability - studies show consensus rarely beats market returns consistently. The mixed views reflect uncertainty about the outlook. The consensus target of $403.81 implies -13.2% downside, but targets are often adjusted to follow price moves rather than predict them.

Current analyst recommendations:2 Strong Buy, 12 Buy, 10 Hold, 01 Strong Sell. The bullish tilt suggests optimism about future prospects, though investors should conduct independent research.Remember that analyst opinions often lag price movements and can be influenced by investment banking relationships.