HCA Healthcare stock gets a USD 525.00 target as earnings near
Published on 10/04/2026 at 17:11 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
HCA Healthcare stock (ISIN US40412C1018) closed at USD 427.09 on the NYSE on October 2, 2026, with a market capitalization of USD 92.5 billion. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an Overweight rating and a USD 525.00 price target in a report published October 2, according to Investing.com.
Cantor sees a USD 525 target
Cantor's target stands USD 97.91 above the October 2 close, a difference of 22.9 percent. The analyst survey cited by Investing.com points to 1.9 percent admissions growth in the second half of 2026, compared with a 1.7 percent consensus estimate.
The counterweight is payer pressure. The same report says HCA Healthcare faces the expiration of USD 520 million in non-recurring Florida Directed Payment Program funds, while health insurance exchange changes are projected to affect 2027 volumes.
Q2 revenue reached USD 20.23 billion
HCA Healthcare reported USD 20.23 billion in Q2 2026 revenue, an 8.7 percent increase from the prior-year quarter. Earnings per share came in at USD 7.59, beating the USD 7.56 consensus by USD 0.03, according to MarketBeat.
The quarterly revenue also exceeded the USD 19.76 billion estimate by USD 0.47 billion. HCA Healthcare's Q2 net income was USD 1.93 billion, while operating cash flow reached USD 2.335 billion in the quarter.
Consensus target sits 8.6 percent higher
MarketBeat lists a Moderate Buy consensus based on 15 Buy ratings, 8 Hold ratings and 1 Sell rating from 24 analysts. The average target is USD 463.70, with a high of USD 579.00 and a low of USD 380.00.
The average target lies 8.6 percent above the October 2 price. That gap is narrower than Cantor's USD 525.00 target, leaving the next quarterly update important for testing admissions, payer mix and margins.
October 27 sets the next checkpoint
HCA Healthcare has scheduled its third-quarter 2026 earnings call for October 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. ET, according to the company's investor release. The call is set to provide the next quantified update on volumes, reimbursement and full-year expectations.
Stock stays below its yearly high
HCA Healthcare stock closed at USD 427.09 on October 2, 2026, 23.3 percent below its 52-week high of USD 556.52 and above its USD 353.99 low. The NYSE listing traded 929,794 shares in that session.
HCA Healthcare stock facts
- Company: HCA Healthcare, Inc.
- ISIN: US40412C1018
- Ticker: HCA
- Trading venue: NYSE
- Price (as of October 2, 2026, 3:59 p.m. ET): USD 427.09, closing price
- Market capitalization: USD 92.5 billion (as of October 2, 2026)
- 52-week range: USD 353.99-556.52 (as of October 2, 2026)
- Sector / Industry: Healthcare / Medical Care Facilities
Upcoming dates for HCA Healthcare stock
- October 27, 2026: Third-quarter 2026 earnings call
