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HCA vs THC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? HCA Healthcare (HCA) vs. Tenet Healthcare (THC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- HCA Healthcare (HCA) previewed solid Q2 2026 revenue growth but cut full-year guidance due to an unfavorable payer mix shift, leading to recent stock pressure.
- Tenet Healthcare (THC) delivered a strong Q1 2026 earnings beat and maintains a more resilient year-to-date performance relative to HCA.
- HCA operates at significantly larger scale with higher market capitalization and revenue base compared to the smaller THC.
- Both companies face similar sector headwinds in hospital services, yet THC has shown relatively stronger momentum in recent market activity.
- Valuation metrics indicate THC trades at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than HCA, highlighting potential trade-offs in growth versus value positioning.
- Upcoming Q2 2026 earnings for both (due late July) will likely influence near-term sentiment and relative performance.
Introduction
This comparison examines HCA Healthcare (HCA) and Tenet Healthcare (THC), two prominent operators in the U.S. hospital and healthcare services sector. Investors and traders focused on healthcare equities often evaluate these names for exposure to inpatient volumes, payer dynamics, and operational efficiency. The analysis highlights differences in scale, recent financial trends, and market positioning to assist those assessing relative opportunities within the industry during the current environment.
HCA Overview and Recent Performance
HCA Healthcare (HCA) is one of the largest hospital operators in the United States, managing a broad network of facilities that deliver acute care and outpatient services. In recent weeks, the stock experienced volatility following a preliminary second-quarter 2026 earnings preview that showed revenue of approximately $20.23 billion, up from the prior-year period. However, the company revised its full-year 2026 guidance lower, citing a shift in payer mix toward uninsured patients. This development contributed to downward pressure on the share price amid broader market activity. Year-to-date returns have been negative, reflecting sensitivity to these operational factors.
THC Overview and Recent Performance
Tenet Healthcare (THC) provides hospital and ambulatory services across multiple markets, with a focus on operational improvements and selective portfolio management. Recent market activity has been more measured for THC, which reported a first-quarter 2026 earnings per share beat of $4.82 versus analyst expectations. The company is scheduled to release second-quarter results later in July. Year-to-date performance has been relatively resilient compared with peers facing similar guidance pressures, supported by prior positive operating trends and analyst attention ahead of the upcoming report.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
HCA Healthcare (HCA) maintains a substantially larger business model, with market capitalization exceeding $85 billion and annual revenue well above that of Tenet Healthcare (THC), whose capitalization sits near $17 billion. Growth drivers for both center on admissions volumes and payer reimbursement, yet HCA has faced more immediate guidance revisions tied to payer mix in recent activity. THC has demonstrated steadier momentum and a lower price-to-earnings ratio, presenting a potential contrast in valuation versus scale. Risk factors include shared exposure to regulatory changes and labor costs, while market sentiment has recently differentiated the two based on earnings visibility. Sector positioning remains comparable, though THC’s smaller size may offer different liquidity and volatility characteristics.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, relative stability amid recent catalysts, and positioning ahead of earnings, Tickeron’s AI models currently assign a modestly higher probability of favorable near-term behavior to Tenet Healthcare (THC). Its earnings resilience and contained downside in recent market activity contrast with the guidance adjustment impacting HCA Healthcare (HCA). This assessment remains probabilistic and subject to new data from upcoming reports.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is HCA is a Buy and THC is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
HCA’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileTHC’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- HCA’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- THC’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
HCA’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while THC’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- HCA’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- THC’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
HCA (@Hospital/Nursing Management) experienced а +5.34% price change this week, while THC (@Hospital/Nursing Management) price change was +9.25% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Hospital/Nursing Management industry was +0.13%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.49%, and the average quarterly price growth was +34.09%.
Reported Earning Dates
HCA is expected to report earnings on Oct 23, 2026.
THC is expected to report earnings on Nov 03, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Hospital/Nursing Management (+0.13% weekly)Hospital/Nursing Management companies own and operate health care facilities. Their operations include nursing homes, acute care facilities, retirement centers and outpatient surgery centers. HCA Healthcare Inc., Alcon Inc. and Universal Health Services, Inc. are some major companies in this industry. Technology has been at the forefront of development of advanced solutions, including quicker diagnoses of complex conditions. Investments in new diagnostics, healthcare IoT, and other healthcare technologies continue to gather momentum in this industry.
| HCA | THC | HCA / THC | |
| Capitalization | 87.2B | 20.5B | 425% |
| EBITDA | 15.7B | 5.58B | 281% |
| Gain YTD | -13.465 | 28.211 | -48% |
| P/E Ratio | 13.50 | 9.85 | 137% |
| Revenue | 76.4B | 22.6B | 338% |
| Total Cash | N/A | 2.17B | - |
| Total Debt | 49.8B | 13.2B | 377% |
HCA | THC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 22 | 44 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 8 Undervalued | 73 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 45 | 19 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 43 | 20 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 57 | 36 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 62 | 53 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
HCA's Valuation (8) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry is somewhat better than the same rating for THC (73). This means that HCA’s stock grew somewhat faster than THC’s over the last 12 months.
THC's Profit vs Risk Rating (19) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry is in the same range as HCA (45). This means that THC’s stock grew similarly to HCA’s over the last 12 months.
THC's SMR Rating (20) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry is in the same range as HCA (43). This means that THC’s stock grew similarly to HCA’s over the last 12 months.
THC's Price Growth Rating (36) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry is in the same range as HCA (57). This means that THC’s stock grew similarly to HCA’s over the last 12 months.
THC's P/E Growth Rating (53) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry is in the same range as HCA (62). This means that THC’s stock grew similarly to HCA’s over the last 12 months.
| HCA | THC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 63% | 3 days ago 65% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 50% | 3 days ago 62% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 74% | 3 days ago 79% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 70% | 3 days ago 76% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 68% | 3 days ago 79% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 64% | 3 days ago 76% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 69% | 6 days ago 82% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 63% | 4 days ago 67% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 47% | 3 days ago 53% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 69% | 3 days ago 84% |
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HCA and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, HCA has been closely correlated with UHS. These tickers have moved in lockstep 68% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if HCA jumps, then UHS could also see price increases.