On Monday, TD Cowen adjusted its price target for HCA Healthcare Inc (NYSE:HCA), a leading healthcare services provider. The firm's analyst revised the target down to $440 from the previous $450, while still recommending the stock as a Buy. This change follows the company's third-quarter financial results for 2024.
The company reported a solid performance, with same-store revenues increasing by 7.1% year-over-year, which was slightly below the 7.9% growth seen in the third quarter of 2023. Despite not meeting some of the high expectations for the quarter, the results were still robust.
HCA Healthcare's management provided an initial growth outlook for 2025, indicating an adjusted EBITDA that is expected to be "near, or slightly above" the top end of the long-term growth range of 4-6%. This guidance reflects the company's confidence in its continued growth trajectory.
In light of the third-quarter results and the company's growth outlook, TD Cowen's analyst made the decision to slightly adjust the price target. The new target of $440, down from $450, takes into account the latest financial data and projections for the upcoming year.
In other recent news, HCA Healthcare has demonstrated strong financial performance despite significant challenges posed by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The company reported a 25% increase in adjusted diluted earnings per share to $4.90 and a 7.1% revenue growth from the same facilities. However, the hurricanes led to an estimated $50 million revenue loss for Q3, with an additional projected loss of $200-$300 million for Q4.
Analyst firm Mizuho maintained its Outperform rating on HCA Healthcare with a steady price target of $425.00, following HCA's third-quarter results. Similarly, Cantor Fitzgerald maintained a positive stance, raising the price target to $405 from the previous target of $392. Both firms expressed confidence in HCA Healthcare's ongoing business strength and future prospects.
HCA Healthcare also revealed expansion plans to add 600 inpatient beds and 100 outpatient facilities by year-end 2024. The company anticipates volume growth between 3% to 4% for 2025, with formal guidance to be provided in January.
InvestingPro Insights
To complement TD Cowen's analysis of HCA Healthcare Inc (NYSE:HCA), recent data from InvestingPro offers additional context for investors. Despite the slight downward revision in the price target, HCA's financial metrics remain strong. The company boasts a market capitalization of $93.82 billion and has demonstrated impressive revenue growth, with a 10.23% increase over the last twelve months as of Q3 2024, reaching $69.62 billion.
InvestingPro Tips highlight HCA's financial strength and shareholder-friendly policies. The company has raised its dividend for 4 consecutive years, indicating a commitment to returning value to shareholders. Additionally, management has been aggressively buying back shares, which often signals confidence in the company's future prospects.
HCA's profitability is evident, with an operating income of $10.5 billion and a healthy operating income margin of 15.08% over the last twelve months. The company's P/E ratio of 16.3 suggests a reasonable valuation relative to its earnings, especially considering its strong growth profile.
For investors seeking more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips on HCA Healthcare, providing a deeper understanding of the company's financial health and market position.
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