NYSE:HCA

HCA Healthcare (HCA)

378.54
-5.85 (1.52%)
as of May 29, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.
17 watching
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Investor Insights
star iconMay 30, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 2 opinions in the last 12 months.

HCA Healthcare has garnered positive reviews from experts, highlighting its well-run operations and effective service delivery, particularly in outpatient care. One reviewer praised the company's performance, stating it has experienced significant growth, with a remarkable 628% increase over the past decade, reaching new all-time highs last month. Additionally, the firm has been actively buying back its shares, significantly reducing the total outstanding shares by 44% since the end of 2015. This combination of strong management, strategic share repurchases, and positive service trends suggests a promising outlook for HCA Healthcare in the healthcare sector.

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Consensus
Positive
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Valuation
Fair Value
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CNC,Centene
BUY

He likes it a lot. It is very well run and provides needed services with positive trends happening for these services. It has a big outpatient component which he uses himself.

BUY

Buys back a lot of shares, reducing shares by 44% since end-2015. It hit new all-time highs last month and is up 628% over 10 years.

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Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020.
1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert).

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Aug 29/24, Down 5%)Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly

Our PAST TOP PICK with HCA has triggered its stop at $373.  To remain disciplined, we recommend covering the position at this time.  

BUY ON WEAKNESS

He's been recommending this post-Covid, because it's been benefitting from the huge bounce back in medical procedures that were delayed. HCA just made a new all-time high. But last Friday it reported a shocking top and bottom line miss. Is down 13% in the past week, but this is an opportunity. HCA missed only slightly, not the end of the world. Hurricanes hit revenues by $200-300 million and 60-90 cents per share, a one-off impact. HCA reaffirmed its full-year forecast, though

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Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020.
1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert).

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Aug 29/24, Up 2.4%)Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly

Our PAST TOP PICK with HCA is progressing well.  To remain disciplined, we recommend trailing up the stop (from $337) to $373 at this time.

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Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020.
1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert).

TOP PICK
Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly

HCA is one of the largest hospital operators in the US, holding 28% of the market share.  It managed the pandemic turmoil better than any other operator.  Given the enormous capital requirements there is a high barrier to entry in the space.  It trades at 18x earnings and management has been aggressively buying back shares and retiring debt.  We recommend setting a stop-loss at $337, looking to achieve $465 -- upside potential of 18%.  Yield 0.6% 

(Analysts’ price target is $395.00)
Unspecified

It is the largest hospital operator in the U.S. It is a defensive stock with consistent revenue but not consistent costs. It will continue to have issues with this and he wants to see more visibility on costs. It executes well.

TOP PICK
A bit contrarian. Not a consensus long. Unique. Largest operator of for-profit hospitals in the US, plus emergency and ambulatory care centres. Key component of healthcare delivery. Executing exceptionally well over 6-7 years. Labour costs have been a drag, but this is abating. Yield is 1.07%. (Analysts’ price target is $257.67)
BUY
This got upgraded yesterday, and he thinks it will go to $200.
PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Aug 13/15. Down 11.51%.) This has been dead quiet over the course of the last year. It had a lift through November-February, and then basically has consolidated ever since. The group is actually starting to look quite interesting. The sector has been improving from a relative strength standpoint, since June. This could still be a Buy at these levels.

TOP PICK

Healthcare has been a big focus of his. This is the largest hospital management companies in the US, even if only 5% of the market, so there is lots of room for growth. The US population is aging. This is a steady, non-economically sensitive company.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 28/03. Up 18%.) When the economy went into a downturn, they got out.
TOP PICK
The hospital sector is interesting. There is a lot of room for consolidation. Trading at low multiples.
BUY
The largest public health hospital in the US. Buying some of the troubled Tenet Health Care assets. Cheap. Prefers over Tenet.
TOP PICK
Trading at 10 X future earnings. Huge free cash flow generator.
Showing 1 to 15 of 22 entries

HCA Healthcare (HCA) Frequently Asked Questions

What is HCA Healthcare stock symbol?

HCA Healthcare is a American stock, trading under the symbol HCA (previously HCA-N on Stockchase) on the New York Stock Exchange (HCA). It is usually referred to as NYSE:HCA or HCA

Is HCA Healthcare a buy or a sell?

In the last year, 2 stock analysts published opinions about HCA (previously HCA-N on Stockchase). 2 analysts recommended to BUY the stock. 0 analysts recommended to SELL the stock. The latest stock analyst recommendation is TOP PICK. Read the latest stock experts' ratings for HCA Healthcare.

Is HCA Healthcare a good investment or a top pick?

HCA Healthcare was recommended as a Top Pick by Eric Bushell on 2003-05-28. Read the latest stock experts ratings for HCA Healthcare.

Why is HCA Healthcare stock dropping?

Earnings reports or recent company news can cause the stock price to drop. Read stock experts' recommendations for help on deciding if you should buy, sell or hold the stock.

Is HCA Healthcare worth watching?

2 stock analysts on Stockchase covered HCA Healthcare in the last year. It is a trending stock that is worth watching.

What is HCA Healthcare stock price?

On 2026-05-29, HCA Healthcare (HCA) stock closed at a price of $378.54.