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HCA vs THC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? HCA Healthcare (HCA) vs. Tenet Healthcare (THC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- HCA operates the largest hospital network in the U.S. by scale, with recent quarterly revenue growth of 4.3% but faced post-earnings pressure and an 11.6% decline over six months.
- THC emphasizes ambulatory surgery centers through its USPI segment, showing relatively stronger short-term technical momentum and analyst upgrades ahead of its Q2 2026 earnings.
- Both companies reported solid Q1 2026 results, yet HCA trades at a higher market capitalization exceeding $90 billion compared to THC’s approximately $15-18 billion range.
- Relative performance data indicates THC has delivered higher year-to-date and trailing twelve-month returns in recent comparisons versus HCA.
- Sector exposure remains similar in acute care and outpatient services, with differing risk profiles tied to debt levels and operational focus.
- Market sentiment reflects stability for HCA alongside growth catalysts for THC’s ambulatory expansion.
Introduction
Investors and traders seeking exposure to the U.S. hospital and outpatient services sector often evaluate HCA and THC as leading publicly traded healthcare providers. This comparison highlights differences in scale, business emphasis, and recent market positioning that may appeal to those focused on relative performance within healthcare services. Both firms navigate similar macroeconomic and regulatory environments, making their stock comparison relevant for portfolio allocation decisions and sector rotation strategies in the current market environment.
HCA Overview and Recent Performance
HCA Healthcare, Inc. manages one of the largest networks of hospitals and outpatient facilities in the United States. In recent weeks, the stock has traded near $409 following broader market volatility and an 11.6% decline over the prior six months amid analyst downgrades and index adjustments. Q1 2026 results showed revenue rising 4.3% to $19.109 billion with diluted EPS of $7.15, though adjusted EBITDA slightly missed expectations, contributing to near-term sentiment shifts. Longer-term metrics reflect resilience, including a YTD return of approximately 12% as of early July 2026, supported by capacity expansions and operational efficiency initiatives.
THC Overview and Recent Performance
Tenet Healthcare Corporation focuses on hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers, with notable growth in its United Surgical Partners International (USPI) segment. Recent market activity has positioned THC with relatively stronger momentum, including analyst upgrades and positive commentary ahead of its scheduled Q2 2026 earnings release on July 24. The company delivered Q1 2026 EPS of $4.82, exceeding estimates, alongside revenue near $5.37 billion. Over recent periods, THC has posted higher YTD and trailing returns in comparative analyses versus larger peers, reflecting investor interest in its outpatient-oriented growth drivers.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
HCA maintains greater scale with revenues exceeding $76 billion annually and a market capitalization above $90 billion, offering broader sector exposure but higher absolute debt levels near $50 billion. THC, with a smaller market capitalization of $15-18 billion and lower debt around $13 billion, derives more growth from ambulatory surgery centers, providing a differentiated risk-return profile. Recent momentum favors THC in technical indicators and YTD performance, while HCA demonstrates steadier long-term earnings consistency. Both face common sector risks including reimbursement pressures and labor costs, yet THC’s outpatient emphasis may offer relative resilience in shifting care delivery trends.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, relative momentum, and positioning ahead of upcoming catalysts, Tickeron’s AI models currently indicate a probabilistic preference for THC in the near term due to stronger technical signals and ambulatory growth visibility. HCA remains competitive on stability and scale metrics. This assessment reflects data-driven probabilities rather than guarantees and should be evaluated alongside individual risk considerations.
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 Buy.
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 -0.95% price change this week, while THC (@Hospital/Nursing Management) price change was -5.52% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Hospital/Nursing Management industry was -1.53%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +7.31%, and the average quarterly price growth was +32.03%.
Reported Earning Dates
HCA is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
THC is expected to report earnings on Jul 24, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Hospital/Nursing Management (-1.53% 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 | 86.7B | 16.8B | 516% |
| EBITDA | 15.7B | 4.88B | 322% |
| Gain YTD | -16.012 | -1.968 | 814% |
| P/E Ratio | 13.46 | 10.13 | 133% |
| Revenue | 76.4B | 21.9B | 349% |
| Total Cash | N/A | 2.97B | - |
| Total Debt | 49.8B | 13.2B | 377% |
HCA | THC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 9 Undervalued | 80 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 44 | 30 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 43 | 25 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 58 | 43 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 69 | 56 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 75 | 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 (9) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry is significantly better than the same rating for THC (80). This means that HCA’s stock grew significantly faster than THC’s over the last 12 months.
THC's Profit vs Risk Rating (30) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry is in the same range as HCA (44). This means that THC’s stock grew similarly to HCA’s over the last 12 months.
THC's SMR Rating (25) 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 (43) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry is in the same range as HCA (58). This means that THC’s stock grew similarly to HCA’s over the last 12 months.
THC's P/E Growth Rating (56) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry is in the same range as HCA (69). This means that THC’s stock grew similarly to HCA’s over the last 12 months.
| HCA | THC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 64% | 4 days ago 57% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 55% | 4 days ago 61% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 72% | 4 days ago 73% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 69% | 4 days ago 75% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 63% | 4 days ago 79% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 65% | 4 days ago 76% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 69% | 7 days ago 81% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 62% | 14 days ago 68% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 50% | 4 days ago 54% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 61% | 4 days ago 83% |
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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.
THC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, THC has been loosely correlated with HCA. These tickers have moved in lockstep 60% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if THC jumps, then HCA could also see price increases.