HCA Stock Analysis — HCA Healthcare
Sector: Healthcare
AI Verdict
HCA trades cheap for the growth you're getting, and its scale-driven moat makes those earnings expectations more credible than most in healthcare.
Competitive Moat
HCA operates a vast network of hospitals and surgery centers in the U.S., benefiting from scale-driven cost efficiencies and deep relationships with insurers. Its regional dominance and high barriers to entry in hospital operations make its position defensible against new entrants.
Summary
HCA is trading at just 12.2x next year's earnings while analysts expect 15.4% EPS growth, making it a standout for value in healthcare.
Where It Stands
With a 1-year return of 8.50%, an RSI of 57.7 (neutral), and a forward P/E of 12.2x versus the healthcare sector median of 22x, HCA screens as cheap relative to its peers.
Key Metrics
- RSI: 57.7 — Neutral
- Trailing P/E: 14.1x
- Forward P/E: 12.2x
- PEG Ratio: 0.77
- Earnings Growth: +0.2%
- Revenue Growth: +0.1%
- Market Cap: $91.1B
- Dividend Yield: 0.01%
- 1-Year Return: 8.50%
- 52-Week High: $556.52
- 52-Week Low: $330.00
Analyst Consensus
19 Buy · 10 Hold · 1 Sell (30 analysts) · Target $493.33
Bull Case
At 12.2x forward earnings and 15.4% expected EPS growth, you're paying a low price for above-average growth in a defensive sector.
Bear Case
If the P/E multiple reverts to 10x (from 12.2x), that would mean a 18% drop even if earnings meet expectations.
Catalyst to Watch
Quarterly earnings beats or misses that confirm whether HCA can deliver the forecast 15.4% EPS growth will determine if the low multiple is justified.