Kiltearn Partners LLP Trims Holdings in HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA)

Kiltearn Partners LLP lessened its position in HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) by 18.7% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 140,000 shares of the company’s stock after selling 32,300 shares during the period. HCA Healthcare accounts for 4.3% of Kiltearn Partners LLP’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th biggest position. Kiltearn Partners LLP owned approximately 0.05% of HCA Healthcare worth $46,215,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. LifeSteps Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC bought a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. Rise Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Activest Wealth Management purchased a new position in HCA Healthcare during the 1st quarter valued at about $40,000. Institutional investors own 62.73% of the company’s stock.

HCA Healthcare Price Performance

Shares of HCA stock traded up $1.99 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $354.78. The company had a trading volume of 1,215,941 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,679,664. HCA Healthcare, Inc. has a 52-week low of $215.96 and a 52-week high of $356.30. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $330.12 and its 200-day moving average price is $323.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 27.11, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 1.02. The company has a market capitalization of $92.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.68.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $5.50 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.97 by $0.53. The firm had revenue of $17.49 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.05 billion. HCA Healthcare had a net margin of 8.40% and a return on equity of 553.13%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 10.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $4.29 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that HCA Healthcare, Inc. will post 22.43 earnings per share for the current year.

HCA Healthcare Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be paid a $0.66 dividend. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.74%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 16th. HCA Healthcare’s dividend payout ratio is currently 13.16%.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Kathryn A. Torres sold 973 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $312.00, for a total value of $303,576.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 22,365 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,977,880. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Michael S. Cuffe sold 1,600 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $309.00, for a total value of $494,400.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 34,124 shares in the company, valued at $10,544,316. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Kathryn A. Torres sold 973 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $312.00, for a total transaction of $303,576.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 22,365 shares in the company, valued at $6,977,880. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 12,397 shares of company stock valued at $3,921,929. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have issued reports on HCA shares. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $329.00 to $378.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $335.00 price target on shares of HCA Healthcare in a research note on Wednesday. SVB Leerink lifted their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $367.00 to $396.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Robert W. Baird initiated coverage on shares of HCA Healthcare in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $396.00 target price for the company. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $375.00 to $390.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, HCA Healthcare currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $339.72.

HCA Healthcare Company Profile

HCA Healthcare, Inc, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates hospitals and related healthcare entities in the United States. It operates general and acute care hospitals that offers medical and surgical services, including inpatient care, intensive care, cardiac care, diagnostic, and emergency services; and outpatient services, such as outpatient surgery, laboratory, radiology, respiratory therapy, cardiology, and physical therapy.