-- CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:
We lower our 12-month price target to $515 from $565, reflecting a 2026 P/E of 17x, a premium to hospital operator peers given our view of HCA's stronger margin profile historically and attractive near-term earnings growth trajectory, and above HCA's three-year historical forward average of 15.3x. We lower our 2026 EPS estimate by $0.03 to $30.30 and raise our 2027 estimate by $0.04 to $33.31. HCA estimates a $150M EBITDA headwind during Q1, relative to Q1 2025, from the expiration of the ACA enhanced premium tax credits at year-end 2025, which contributed to significant coverage losses and put upward pressure on uncompensated care. However, the company maintained the full-year outlook for a $600M-$900M impact, which we view favorably, though we think the ACA coverage landscape could be volatile in the coming quarters.