HCA Healthcare Stock Wobbles As Revenue Outlook Disappoints, But Retail’s Busy Cheering Q4 Profit Beat

Shares of HCA Healthcare Inc. fell over 4% on Friday morning, as the company’s full-year revenue guidance fell short of expectations, but retail investors rallied behind its strong fourth-quarter (Q4) earnings.

The Nashville-based hospital operator reported Q4 net income of $1.44 billion, or $5.63 per share, compared to $1.61 billion, or $5.93 per share, a year earlier. 

Excluding certain one-time items, earnings were $6.22 per share, surpassing analyst expectations of $6.13.

Revenue for the quarter rose to $18.29 billion, up from $17.30 billion in the same period last year, slightly exceeding the forecasted $18.23 billion.

However, the company faced additional expenses and revenue losses estimated at $200 million due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene on its North Carolina facilities and Hurricane Milton affecting some Florida operations.

For 2025, HCA Healthcare projected revenue between $72.80 billion and $75.80 billion, with the midpoint falling short of analysts’ expectations of $74.76 billion. 

The company also forecasted earnings per share between $24.05 and $25.85, slightly better than the expected $24.48.

HCA’s board approved a new $10 billion share repurchase program, which added to investor optimism.

On Stocktwits, sentiment shifted from ‘bearish’ to ‘extremely bullish’, driven largely by retail traders celebrating the positive aspects of HCA’s performance. 

HCA stock has risen 15% over the past 12 months and is up over 6% this year. 

With an average price target of $388.53, according to Koyfin data, analysts see a 21% upside from current levels.

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