New York, February 11, 2026, 10:54 EST — Regular session
Shares of HCA Healthcare climbed 2.4% to $513.88 by late morning on Wednesday, pushing the stock higher alongside a broad uptick in hospital operators. Tenet Healthcare surged 8.4%, Universal Health Services gained 2.7%, and Community Health Systems ticked up 1.7%.
The sector’s rally came after Tenet released its quarterly results Wednesday, posting earnings and revenue that beat expectations. Some investors see this as a signal for pricing and labor trends across U.S. hospitals. (Nasdaq)
Traders are also digging through a new batch of ownership filings tied to HCA’s founding family affiliates. These documents seldom shift the business itself, but they can stir debate about control and what’s next for share availability.
A Schedule 13D filed Tuesday revealed that Frisco Holding II, Hercules Holding II, and related individuals tied to the Frist family beneficially own 70,166,392 HCA shares—roughly 31.4% of the total class. The filing detailed an “Exchange” where Frisco transferred 36,629,188 shares back to HCA and received 36,557,141 newly issued shares in return. A related Form 4 described this as a reorganization-linked exchange with the issuer. (SEC)
A Schedule 13D is an SEC form that reveals ownership stakes exceeding 5%, along with specific arrangements tied to those holdings. This particular filing detailed director nomination rights and restrictions on certain sales—terms investors closely examine for signs of potential stock overhang.
Bernstein analyst Lance Wilkes boosted HCA’s price target to $541 from $503 while maintaining a Market Perform rating. In a note highlighted by TheFly, Bernstein pointed to “a solid quarter of execution” and increased buybacks but remained cautious, citing valuations near the top of long-term levels. (Streetinsider)
HCA updated investors on January 27, projecting 2026 profits between $29.10 and $31.50 per share and highlighting roughly $400 million in planned cost savings. CFO Mike Marks noted an expected decline in utilization due to the end of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies and emphasized initiatives to better manage patient throughput and length of stay. (Reuters)
Ownership headlines can lose impact quickly if they don’t affect cash flow. Hospital stocks still hinge on fundamentals: admissions, wages, and government program reimbursements. Any dip in patient volumes or a fresh surge in labor and supply expenses can hit margins fast.
Investors should note a few key dates coming up: HCA’s annual stockholders’ meeting will take place April 23, with the record date set for February 23. The company also plans to pay its quarterly dividend on March 31 to shareholders recorded as of March 17. (Hcahealthcare)
