Health and Healthcare

HCA Tops Estimates Due to Higher Admissions

Hospital operator HCA Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HCA) reported a better-than-expected second-quarter profit due to higher patient admissions.

Net income for the quarter rose to $391 million, or $0.85 cents per share, on $8.11 billion in revenue. Earnings per share (EPS) were $0.43 cents per share a year earlier, and revenue was 12% higher year-over-year. Analysts on average were expected earnings of $0.78 per share, according to Thomson Reuters.

Nashville-based HCA reaffirmed its 2012 EPS outlook of $3.57 to $3.77 on revenue of $32 billion to $33 billion. The consensus forecast calls for earnings of $3.69 per share and revenue of $35.56 billion.

Admissions increased in the quarter while volumes fell for competitors. HCA was helped by its presence in urban and suburban areas where the economy is doing better. The company also said revenue was helped by its $1.45 billion buyout last year of a partner’s stake in the HealthOne system of hospitals and surgery clinics in the Denver area.

Shares are trading about 2% higher in premarket trading to $27.15. The 52-week trading range is $17.03 to $31.39. Thomson Reuters had a consensus analyst price target of $33.76 before this news.

Travel Cards Are Getting Too Good To Ignore (sponsored)

Credit card companies are pulling out all the stops, with the issuers are offering insane travel rewards and perks.

We’re talking huge sign-up bonuses, points on every purchase, and benefits like lounge access, travel credits, and free hotel nights. For travelers, these rewards can add up to thousands of dollars in flights, upgrades, and luxury experiences every year.

It’s like getting paid to travel — and it’s available to qualified borrowers who know where to look.

We’ve rounded up some of the best travel credit cards on the market. Click here to see the list. Don’t miss these offers — they won’t be this good forever.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.

AI Portfolio

Discover Our Top AI Stocks

Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.

You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.