California State Teachers Retirement System Cuts Stake in HCA Healthcare, Inc. $HCA

California State Teachers Retirement System cut its stake in HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) by 4.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 231,845 shares of the company’s stock after selling 9,790 shares during the quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System’s holdings in HCA Healthcare were worth $109,718,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Palisade Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare in the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC acquired a new stake in HCA Healthcare during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the first quarter worth $33,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in HCA Healthcare during the 3rd quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, MCF Advisors LLC lifted its stake in HCA Healthcare by 213.0% in the 4th quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 72 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.73% of the company’s stock.

HCA Healthcare Trading Down 2.3%

NYSE HCA opened at $408.39 on Thursday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $386.80 and a 200-day simple moving average of $452.03. HCA Healthcare, Inc. has a twelve month low of $342.71 and a twelve month high of $556.52. The stock has a market cap of $90.60 billion, a PE ratio of 13.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.12.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) last announced its earnings results on Friday, July 24th. The company reported $7.59 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $7.56 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $20.23 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.76 billion. HCA Healthcare had a net margin of 8.77% and a negative return on equity of 244.79%. HCA Healthcare’s revenue was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $6.84 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that HCA Healthcare, Inc. will post 29.38 EPS for the current year.

HCA Healthcare Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 16th will be paid a dividend of $0.78 per share. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 16th. HCA Healthcare’s dividend payout ratio is 10.45%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on HCA Healthcare from $396.00 to $393.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Monday. Jefferies Financial Group set a $450.00 target price on HCA Healthcare in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Stephens lowered their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $560.00 to $530.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $435.00 price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare in a research report on Monday. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $402.00 to $387.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, HCA Healthcare presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $465.05.

Key Stories Impacting HCA Healthcare

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

• Positive Sentiment: HCA’s stock outperformed peers during a broadly strong trading session, suggesting some investor support despite recent concerns. HCA stock outperforms competitors
• Positive Sentiment: RBC reiterated its “Outperform” rating, while Mizuho maintained an “Outperform” view and set a $475 price target, implying substantial upside from the recent trading level. RBC reiterates Outperform Mizuho price target
• Positive Sentiment: HCA appointed experienced executives to lead two Tampa hospitals, including a former Oak Hill Hospital executive, and named Jordan Fulkerson chief financial officer of HCA Florida Memorial Hospital. The moves may support local operating continuity. Tampa hospital leadership appointments Memorial Hospital CFO appointment
• Neutral Sentiment: KeyCorp, Truist, and Baird lowered or tempered their HCA price expectations, although the changes reflect analyst caution rather than a broad withdrawal of coverage. KeyCorp set a $435 target, while RBC remained positive. KeyCorp lowers price target Baird forecast Truist price outlook
• Negative Sentiment: A judge rejected a key HCA argument concerning its obligations to provide services at Mission Hospital. Separately, Dogwood Health Trust reported potential noncompliance with the contract governing HCA’s Mission Health acquisition. These developments raise the risk of additional costs, enforcement actions, or operating restrictions. Mission Hospital court ruling Mission contract compliance concerns
• Negative Sentiment: Pomerantz announced an investigation into potential investor claims involving HCA, adding legal overhang and possible reputational risk, although the announcement does not establish wrongdoing. Pomerantz investor investigation

HCA Healthcare Profile

HCA Healthcare is a for‑profit operator of healthcare facilities headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1968, the company owns and operates a network of hospitals and related healthcare facilities and has grown through organic expansion and acquisitions to become a large provider of inpatient and outpatient services.

The company’s core activities include the operation of acute care hospitals, freestanding surgical and emergency centers, and outpatient clinics. HCA’s services encompass inpatient care, surgical services, emergency medicine, diagnostic imaging and laboratory testing, and various outpatient and ambulatory care offerings.