HCA Healthcare stock slides as traders digest $10B buyback, 2026 outlook and ACA headwinds
HCA Healthcare shares fell 2.8% to $491.72 Wednesday, erasing some of Tuesday’s 11% rally after earnings. The company set 2026 EPS guidance at $29.10–$31.50 and announced a $10 billion share buyback. Investors weighed cost cuts against risks from changes in ACA coverage and payer mix. Fourth-quarter revenue rose 6.7% to $19.51 billion, with net income up 30.6% to $1.88 billion.