HCA Healthcare stock holds near USD 428 after guidance cut

Published on 09/22/2026 at 18:36 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

HCA Healthcare stock traded at USD 427.71 on September 18, 2026, 23.1 percent below its yearly high. Q2 revenue rose 8.7 percent to USD 20.23 billion.

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HCA Healthcare stock closed at USD 427.71 on the NYSE on September 18, 2026, with the shares 23.1 percent below the 52-week high of USD 556.52 and 20.0 percent above the low of USD 353.99. The latest market setup combines a wide trading range with revised 2026 expectations.

Guidance range moves lower

According to IT BOLTWISE on September 22, 2026, HCA now expects 2026 revenue of USD 77.0 billion to USD 79.5 billion, compared with the prior range of USD 76.5 billion to USD 80.0 billion. The updated diluted EPS range is USD 28.70 to USD 30.50, down from USD 29.10 to USD 31.50, while adjusted EBITDA guidance falls to USD 15.40 billion to USD 16.10 billion from USD 15.55 billion to USD 16.45 billion.

The lower earnings corridor matters more than the revenue range because it narrows the operating cushion. Net income guidance is now USD 6.3 billion to USD 6.7 billion, compared with the previous USD 6.495 billion to USD 7.035 billion range, according to the same September 22, 2026 report from IT BOLTWISE.

Quarterly growth remains visible

HCA reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 revenue of USD 20.23 billion and diluted EPS of USD 7.59. MarketBeat reported on September 22, 2026, that quarterly revenue increased 8.7 percent year over year and EPS exceeded the USD 7.56 consensus estimate by USD 0.03.

The operating comparison is therefore mixed rather than one-directional: Q2 revenue growth remained 8.7 percent, but the full-year EPS range was reduced by USD 0.40 at the lower end and USD 1.00 at the upper end. Yahoo Finance listed Q2 FY26 revenue of USD 20.23 billion, earnings of USD 1.7 billion and a profit margin of 8.40 percent in its September 21, 2026 market snapshot.

Stock remains below analyst average

MarketBeat listed a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average 12-month price target of USD 462.27 on September 22, 2026. Against the September 18 close of USD 427.71, that target is USD 34.56 higher, while the quoted 52-week high remains USD 556.52.

Yahoo Finance showed a current analyst average target of USD 452.29, with a range from USD 380.00 to USD 579.00. The same page recorded Leerink Partners maintaining an Outperform rating and a USD 492 price target on September 18, 2026, placing the target above both the closing price and the broader average.

HCA Healthcare stock stays range bound

HCA Healthcare stock closed at USD 427.71 on the NYSE on September 18, 2026, at 4:00:03 p.m. ET. The shares traded within a 52-week range of USD 353.99 to USD 556.52, with a market capitalization of USD 92.6 billion and session volume of 5,444,100 shares.