EP Wealth Advisors LLC Takes $43.29 Million Position in HCA Healthcare, Inc. $HCA

EP Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 111,026 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $43,288,000. EP Wealth Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.05% of HCA Healthcare at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Palisade Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in HCA Healthcare in the third quarter valued at about $26,000. MidFirst Bank acquired a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Clearstead Trust LLC acquired a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the second quarter worth approximately $29,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC acquired a new stake in HCA Healthcare in the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC acquired a new position in HCA Healthcare during the 1st quarter worth $33,000. 62.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

HCA Healthcare Trading Up 5.6%

Shares of HCA Healthcare stock opened at $429.08 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $92.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.36, a PEG ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.10. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $397.16 and its 200-day simple moving average is $444.14. HCA Healthcare, Inc. has a twelve month low of $353.99 and a twelve month high of $556.52.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) last issued 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. 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 for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.76 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $6.84 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that HCA Healthcare, Inc. will post 29.47 earnings per share for the current year.

HCA Healthcare Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced 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 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 16th. HCA Healthcare’s payout ratio is presently 10.45%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

HCA has been the topic of several research analyst reports. 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. Truist Financial cut their price objective on HCA Healthcare from $535.00 to $495.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Robert W. Baird decreased 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. Mizuho reduced their price objective on HCA Healthcare from $525.00 to $475.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, Leerink Partners lowered their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $573.00 to $500.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 27th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $462.64.

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.