HCA Healthcare Stock Drops Despite Profit Beat As Weak Volumes Rattle Investors
HCA Healthcare shares dropped 8.8% to $432.46 after first-quarter profit narrowly beat estimates but showed weaker patient volumes and payer-mix concerns. Revenue rose 4.3% to $19.1 billion, net income hit $1.62 billion, and adjusted EBITDA climbed 1.9% to $3.8 billion. Respiratory admissions fell 42% year-over-year. HCA reaffirmed its 2026 financial guidance.