HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA), with a market cap of $91.9 billion, is a leading for-profit healthcare services provider headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1968, the company operates a vast network of healthcare facilities, including 186 hospitals and approximately 2,000 care sites across 21 U.S. states and the United Kingdom.

Companies valued at $10 billion or more are generally classified as “large-cap” stocks, and HCA fits this criterion perfectly, exceeding the mark. In addition to patient care, HCA Healthcare is a significant contributor to medical education. It stands as the largest sponsor of graduate medical education programs in the U.S., operating 56 teaching hospitals in 14 states. 

However, HCA Healthcare has fallen 8.2% from its 52-week high of $417.14, recorded on Oct. 18. Over the past three months, HCA shares have surged 23.1%, outperforming the broader Nasdaq Composite’s ($NASX) 5.7% rise over the same time frame.

HCA shares have climbed 15.1% over the past year and are up 27.6% in 2025. By contrast, $NASX has surged 15.3% over the past 52 weeks and is up marginally on a YTD basis.

Since the end of April and early May, HCA has been trading above its 200-day and 50-day moving averages, respectively, indicating an uptrend.

On Apr. 25, HCA announced its first-quarter earnings, and its shares slumped 4%, possibly due to concerns over future policy impacts and operational challenges. Driven by increased patient volumes and effective cost management, its revenues rose 5.7% year-over-year to $18.32 billion, surpassing analyst expectations of $18.26 billion. Its EPS stood at $6.45, exceeding the consensus estimate of $5.77 and marking a 20.3% increase from the prior year.

Its same-facility admissions increased by 2.6%, equivalent admissions rose by 2.8%, and emergency room visits surged by 4%. The company reaffirmed its full-year 2025 EPS guidance range of $24.05 to $25.85. 

HCA’s top rival, Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC), has far exceeded, with its stock surging 28.5% over the past 52 weeks and 36.1% in 2025.

Analysts are moderately hopeful, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from 24 analysts. Its mean price target of $393.32 implies a potential upside of 2.7% from the current market prices.