Fmr LLC Buys 2,397,883 Shares of HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA)

Fmr LLC grew its stake in HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) by 322.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,141,769 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 2,397,883 shares during the period. Fmr LLC’s holdings in HCA Healthcare were worth $1,276,909,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. Unique Wealth Strategies LLC bought a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Bangor Savings Bank raised its stake in shares of HCA Healthcare by 112.5% during the second quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 85 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC increased its stake in HCA Healthcare by 284.0% in the second quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC now owns 96 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in HCA Healthcare in the third quarter valued at approximately $41,000. 62.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Michael S. Cuffe sold 8,358 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $385.42, for a total value of $3,221,340.36. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 29,678 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,438,494.76. This represents a 21.97 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, SVP Phillip G. Billington sold 3,897 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $350.00, for a total transaction of $1,363,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 52,702 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,445,700. This trade represents a 6.89 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 15,155 shares of company stock valued at $5,608,990. 1.70% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have commented on HCA shares. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of HCA Healthcare from $396.00 to $392.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 8th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of HCA Healthcare from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of HCA Healthcare in a report on Tuesday, September 3rd. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $427.00 price target for the company. Wells Fargo & Company cut shares of HCA Healthcare from an “equal weight” rating to an “underweight” rating and reduced their price target for the company from $400.00 to $320.00 in a report on Monday. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $392.00 price target on shares of HCA Healthcare in a report on Tuesday, October 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $380.29.

HCA Healthcare Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of HCA stock opened at $328.95 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 48.71, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.12. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $376.47 and its 200-day moving average is $358.74. The stock has a market cap of $83.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.77, a PEG ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 1.68. HCA Healthcare, Inc. has a 52-week low of $245.84 and a 52-week high of $417.14.

HCA Healthcare Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 13th will be issued a $0.66 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 13th. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.80%. HCA Healthcare’s payout ratio is 11.85%.

About HCA Healthcare

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.