JPMorgan Chase & Co. Cuts HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) Price Target to $425.00

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) had its target price lowered by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $490.00 to $425.00 in a report issued on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on HCA Healthcare from $396.00 to $393.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 27th. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on shares of HCA Healthcare from $500.00 to $431.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, June 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $558.00 to $485.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a “market perform” rating on shares of HCA Healthcare in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, Stephens reduced 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. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, HCA Healthcare presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $462.64.

HCA Healthcare Stock Performance

NYSE HCA opened at $429.08 on Thursday. HCA Healthcare has a twelve month low of $353.99 and a twelve month high of $556.52. The stock has a market cap of $92.90 billion, a PE ratio of 14.36, a PEG ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.10. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $397.16 and a 200 day simple moving average of $444.14.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 24th. The company reported $7.59 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $7.56 by $0.03. HCA Healthcare had a negative return on equity of 244.79% and a net margin of 8.77%.The firm had revenue of $20.23 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $19.76 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $6.84 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that HCA Healthcare will post 29.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

HCA Healthcare Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 16th will be given a $0.78 dividend. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 16th. HCA Healthcare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 10.45%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On HCA Healthcare

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Palisade Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. MidFirst Bank acquired a new stake in HCA Healthcare in the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. Clearstead Trust LLC acquired a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC acquired a new stake in HCA Healthcare during the fourth quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the 1st quarter worth $33,000. 62.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

HCA Healthcare Company 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.