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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, the largest U.S. hospital operator by market cap at approximately $99 billion, reported Q1 2026 revenue growth of 4.3% but faced headwinds from seasonal volumes and ACA subsidy lapses.
- THC, with a $15.8 billion market cap, showed stronger year-to-date gains of about 9% compared to HCA's 4.4%, reflecting robust ambulatory care expansion.
- Both stocks have pulled back in recent weeks amid sector pressures, with HCA down roughly 6% over the past month and THC around 9%.
- HCA trades at a higher P/E ratio (15.4) versus THC's 11.7, indicating HCA's premium for scale while THC appears relatively undervalued.
- Analyst targets suggest greater upside for THC (around 31%) than HCA (16%), signaling optimistic sentiment for THC's growth trajectory.
- Recent market activity highlights shared risks like payer mix shifts and regulatory changes, but THC's diversification into ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) provides a growth edge.
Introduction
HCA Healthcare (HCA) and Tenet Healthcare (THC) are leading players in the U.S. hospital sector, both operating acute care facilities amid evolving healthcare dynamics like payer negotiations and ambulatory shifts. This comparison analyzes their business models, recent stock behaviors, and market positioning to aid investors and traders evaluating relative performance in a volatile environment. Those focused on healthcare exposure, seeking stability versus growth potential, or timing sector rotations will find these insights valuable for informed decision-making.
HCA Overview and Recent Performance
HCA Healthcare, Inc., headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, is the largest for-profit hospital operator in the U.S., managing over 180 hospitals and numerous ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), freestanding emergency rooms, and other facilities offering acute and outpatient care. In recent market activity, HCA shares have faced downward pressure, declining about 6% over the past month and nearly 12% in the last three months, trading around $446 with a 52-week range of $330 to $557. Quarterly results showed 4.3% revenue growth to $19.1 billion and adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) up modestly, but sentiment softened due to lower-than-expected respiratory admissions, shifting payer mix, and a $150 million hit from ACA subsidy lapses. Analysts maintain buy ratings, with targets around $517, reflecting confidence in long-term capacity expansions despite near-term challenges.
THC Overview and Recent Performance
Tenet Healthcare Corporation, based in Dallas, Texas, operates a diversified portfolio including acute care hospitals, ASCs, and urgent care centers through its Hospital Operations and Ambulatory Care segments. Recently, THC shares have retreated around 9% in the past month, hovering near $181 within a 52-week range of $122 to $247, amid broader sector softness. Prior quarterly results beat expectations with 9% revenue growth, driven by ambulatory momentum, though upcoming earnings may test resilience against similar reimbursement pressures. Year-to-date performance outpaced peers at 9%, supported by strategic ASC investments and strong analyst backing, including raised price targets to $283, bolstering positive market sentiment despite volatility.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
HCA and THC both navigate the competitive medical care facilities space, but HCA's scale—nearly seven times THC's market cap—drives steadier revenue streams from its vast hospital network, contrasting THC's emphasis on high-growth ambulatory services. Growth drivers differ: HCA benefits from inpatient volume recovery and expansions, while THC leverages ASC profitability amid outpatient trends. Recent momentum favors neither decisively, with both experiencing pullbacks, though THC's one-year gains exceed 48% versus HCA's 28%. Risk factors include reimbursement risks and regulatory shifts, amplified for THC by its higher beta (1.5). Sector exposure is similar, but THC's diversification mitigates some acute care cyclicality. Market sentiment tilts toward THC's value (lower P/E) and upside potential, positioning it as a higher-reward play against HCA's defensive stability.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI models currently lean toward THC in this matchup, citing its lower valuation multiples, superior YTD relative performance, and greater analyst-implied upside amid ambulatory tailwinds. While HCA offers scale and consistency, THC's momentum and growth catalysts position it probabilistically stronger for near-term outperformance in the current healthcare landscape.
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 Disclaimers and Limitations.
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 1 green FA rating(s).
- HCA’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- THC’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 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 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while THC’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- HCA’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- THC’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
HCA (@Hospital/Nursing Management) experienced а -3.13% price change this week, while THC (@Hospital/Nursing Management) price change was -0.20% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Hospital/Nursing Management industry was -0.10%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +4.78%, and the average quarterly price growth was +27.33%.
Reported Earning Dates
HCA is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
THC is expected to report earnings on Jul 16, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Hospital/Nursing Management (-0.10% 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 | 83.6B | 15.4B | 543% |
| EBITDA | 15.7B | 4.88B | 322% |
| Gain YTD | -18.968 | -10.049 | 189% |
| P/E Ratio | 12.99 | 9.30 | 140% |
| 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 | 4 | 19 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 9 Undervalued | 78 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 49 | 36 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 43 | 25 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 63 | 63 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 73 | 67 | |
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 (9) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry is significantly better than the same rating for THC (78). This means that HCA’s stock grew significantly faster than THC’s over the last 12 months.
THC's Profit vs Risk Rating (36) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry is in the same range as HCA (49). 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 (63) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry is in the same range as HCA (63). This means that THC’s stock grew similarly to HCA’s over the last 12 months.
THC's P/E Growth Rating (67) in the Hospital Or Nursing Management industry is in the same range as HCA (73). This means that THC’s stock grew similarly to HCA’s over the last 12 months.
| HCA | THC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 65% | 2 days ago 71% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 50% | 2 days ago 68% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 72% | 2 days ago 83% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 67% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 79% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 74% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 69% | 8 days ago 81% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 62% | 6 days ago 67% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 47% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 71% |
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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 59% 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.