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HCA Healthcare (HCA) to Report Q1 Earnings: What's in Store?

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HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA - Free Report) is scheduled to release first-quarter 2020 results on April 21.

In the last reported quarter, the company reported adjusted earnings of $3.09 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.9%. Moreover, the bottom line inched up 3.3% year over year on the back of higher revenues and increased admissions.

Let’s see, how things are shaping up prior to this announcement.

The company’s first-quarter earnings are likely to have been affected by softer volumes in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rampant coronavirus outbreak compelled hospitals to cancel their elective procedures for accommodating any potential surge in COVID-19-infected cases. It might also feel the pinch from undertaking expensive procedures and bearing unexpected costs to ensure coronavirus treatment.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings is pegged at $2.73, indicating an 8.1% decrease from the year-ago reported figure.

Nevertheless, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues stands at $13 billion, suggesting a 4.4% rise from the prior-year reported number.

The consensus mark for the total number of hospitals implies a 19% improvement from the year-earlier reported figure, attributable to strategic acquisitions made by HCA Healthcare.

The consensus estimate for the quarter’s patient days hints at a 3.9% upside from the year-ago reported number.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the licensed number of beds is pegged at 49 million, implying 1.3% growth from the prior-year reported figure owing to a series of buyouts.

What the Quantitative Model States

Our proven model doesn’t conclusively predict an earnings beat for HCA Healthcare this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of a positive surprise. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Earnings ESP: HCA Healthcare has an Earnings ESP of +0.98%. This is because the Most Accurate Estimate is pegged at $3.09, higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.06. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

HCA Healthcare, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

HCA Healthcare, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

HCA Healthcare, Inc. price-eps-surprise | HCA Healthcare, Inc. Quote

Zacks Rank: HCA Healthcare has a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell), which decreases the predictive power of ESP.

Stocks to Consider

Some stocks worth considering from the medical sector with the perfect mix of elements to surpass estimates in the next releases are as follows:

MEDNAX Inc. (MD - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.15% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is set to report first-quarter earnings performance on May 7.

Anthem, Inc. has an Earnings ESP of +1.91%. This Zacks #3 Ranked company is set to report first-quarter earnings performance on Apr 29.

Molina Healthcare, Inc (MOH - Free Report) is slated to release first-quarter financial figures on Apr 30. The stock has an Earnings ESP of +9.38% and is #3 Ranked.

5 Stocks Set to Double

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Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.

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Molina Healthcare, Inc (MOH) - free report >>

Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. (MD) - free report >>

HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) - free report >>

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