1,899 HCA Healthcare, Inc. $HCA Shares Sold by Columbia Bank

Columbia Bank reduced its stake in HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) by 32.9% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 3,873 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,899 shares during the quarter. Columbia Bank’s holdings in HCA Healthcare were worth $1,653,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in HCA Healthcare in the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. MidFirst Bank bought a new stake in HCA Healthcare in the second quarter valued at $28,000. Clearstead Trust LLC acquired a new position in HCA Healthcare during the second quarter worth $29,000. Latitude Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare during the third quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Delos Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare during the second quarter valued at $35,000. 62.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $476.00 target price on shares of HCA Healthcare in a report on Monday, July 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $558.00 to $485.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an “overweight” rating on shares of HCA Healthcare in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare from $635.00 to $579.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $496.00 to $521.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, HCA Healthcare presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $475.70.

HCA Healthcare Stock Down 1.1%

HCA Healthcare stock opened at $472.94 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $437.44 and a 200 day simple moving average of $444.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $102.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.10. HCA Healthcare, Inc. has a 12-month low of $353.99 and a 12-month high of $556.52.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 27th. The company reported $7.22 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.65 by $0.57. HCA Healthcare had a net margin of 8.61% and a negative return on equity of 198.52%. The firm had revenue of $19.85 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.33 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $6.96 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that HCA Healthcare, Inc. will post 30.15 EPS for the current year.

HCA Healthcare Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 29th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 15th will be issued a $0.78 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 15th. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. HCA Healthcare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 10.34%.

More HCA Healthcare News

Here are the key news stories impacting HCA Healthcare this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Royal Bank of Canada raised its HCA price target from $496 to $521 and reaffirmed an “outperform” rating, implying roughly 10% upside from the referenced trading level. Royal Bank of Canada analyst action
• Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen increased its price target for HCA Healthcare, adding to the series of favorable analyst revisions following the company’s latest results. TD Cowen price target article
• Positive Sentiment: KeyCorp also boosted its HCA price target, reinforcing Wall Street’s constructive view of the hospital operator. KeyCorp price target article
• Positive Sentiment: Robert W. Baird raised its target as well, suggesting analysts see further value after HCA’s quarterly earnings beat. Robert W. Baird price target article
• Positive Sentiment: HCA said 102 hospitals received Healthgrades recognition for specialty-care excellence, potentially supporting the company’s reputation, patient demand and competitive positioning. Healthgrades recognition announcement
• Neutral Sentiment: HCA HealthONE agreed to pay $14.5 million for a Wheat Ridge retail center and plans to develop a medical park. The project could expand local capacity, but its financial contribution and execution timeline remain uncertain. Wheat Ridge medical park article
• Neutral Sentiment: A St. David’s HealthCare CEO plans to retire in March, creating a leadership transition within an HCA-affiliated system. St. David’s CEO retirement article
• Negative Sentiment: Pomerantz LLP announced an investigation into potential claims on behalf of HCA investors. The announcement does not establish wrongdoing, but adds legal and headline risk that can pressure the stock. Pomerantz investor investigation announcement

HCA Healthcare Company Profile

HCA Healthcare, Inc is a healthcare services company that operates hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, emergency care facilities, physician practices and other healthcare sites. Its facilities provide a broad range of services, including acute and emergency care, surgery, cardiology, oncology, women’s and children’s services, behavioral health and outpatient care.

The company serves patients primarily across the United States through a network of healthcare facilities in numerous states.