LVW Advisors LLC Raises Stake in HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA)

LVW Advisors LLC grew its stake in HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) by 76.4% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 3,189 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,381 shares during the quarter. LVW Advisors LLC’s holdings in HCA Healthcare were worth $1,064,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Stone House Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare in the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. Centerpoint Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in HCA Healthcare in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Rise Advisors LLC bought a new position in HCA Healthcare in the first quarter worth approximately $36,000. Institutional investors own 62.73% of the company’s stock.

HCA Healthcare Price Performance

NYSE:HCA opened at $321.28 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $84.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 29.26, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 1.02. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $325.96 and a 200-day moving average price of $317.82. HCA Healthcare, Inc. has a 1-year low of $215.96 and a 1-year high of $344.20.

HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) last posted its earnings results on Friday, April 26th. The company reported $5.36 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.01 by $0.35. HCA Healthcare had a return on equity of 674.49% and a net margin of 8.20%. The firm had revenue of $17.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $16.81 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $4.93 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 11.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that HCA Healthcare, Inc. will post 20.92 EPS for the current year.

HCA Healthcare Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 28th. Investors of record on Friday, June 14th were given a dividend of $0.66 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 14th. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.82%. HCA Healthcare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 13.16%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently commented on HCA. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $335.00 price target on shares of HCA Healthcare in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of HCA Healthcare from $327.00 to $332.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $359.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday. Robert W. Baird began coverage on HCA Healthcare in a report on Thursday, May 30th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $396.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on HCA Healthcare from $356.00 to $367.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, April 29th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, HCA Healthcare has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $326.53.

Insider Transactions at HCA Healthcare

In other news, SVP Jeffrey E. Cohen sold 1,650 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $313.00, for a total transaction of $516,450.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 5,185 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,622,905. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, EVP Michael S. Cuffe sold 1,600 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $309.00, for a total value of $494,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 34,124 shares in the company, valued at $10,544,316. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Jeffrey E. Cohen sold 1,650 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $313.00, for a total value of $516,450.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 5,185 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,622,905. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 12,397 shares of company stock valued at $3,921,929 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.70% of the company’s stock.

HCA Healthcare 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.