HCA Healthcare Reports Strong Q4 Results

Shares of HCA Healthcare Inc. (HCA) surged approximately 6% in premarket trading on Tuesday following the release of their fourth-quarter earnings report. The hospital operator exceeded expectations, showcasing sustained growth in both inpatient and outpatient procedures.

Impressive Financial Performance

HCA reported a fourth-quarter net income of $1.607 billion, or $5.93 per share, in comparison to $2.081 billion, or $7.28 per share, during the same period the previous year. Despite the decline, earnings per share still surpassed the FactSet consensus of $5.05 per share. Furthermore, HCA's total revenue for the quarter amounted to $17.303 billion, beating the FactSet consensus of $16.513 billion.

Expansive Network and Strong Demand

With ownership of over 180 hospitals and approximately 2,400 ambulatory care sites, including surgery centers, urgent care centers, and physician clinics, HCA showcased a wide-ranging portfolio catering to diverse healthcare needs. HCA emphasized the strong demand for its services across various markets and facilities.

Positive Trends Amidst Adversity

Hospital operators like HCA and Tenet Healthcare Corp. (THC) have experienced a positive impact from increased volumes of inpatient and outpatient procedures. This trend has had an adverse effect on the stocks of major insurers such as Humana Inc. (HUM) and UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH).

Encouraging Performance Indicators

HCA reported a 3.1% increase in same-facility admissions compared to the previous year, while same-facility emergency-room visits grew by 2.1%. Moreover, procedure volumes demonstrated consistent growth, with same-facility inpatient surgeries up by 1% and same-facility outpatient surgeries increasing by 0.7% compared to the prior year.

Positive Outlook for 2024

HCA has set optimistic expectations for the full year 2024, projecting revenues ranging from $67.75 billion to $70.25 billion, with anticipated earnings per share between $19.70 and $21.20.

Leadership Transition

Following a successful 34-year career with HCA, Chief Financial Officer Bill Rutherford has announced his retirement. Effective May 1, he will be succeeded by Mike Marks, the current Senior Vice President of Finance.

Steady Stock Performance

HCA stock has demonstrated stability and growth, increasing by 5.9% year-to-date, outperforming the 3.3% gain in the S&P 500 (SPX).