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HCA vs VRTX

HCA
HCA Healthcare, Inc.
BULLISH
Price
$472.65
Market Cap
$108.0B
Sector
Healthcare
AI Confidence
92%
VRTX
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
NEUTRAL
Price
$446.54
Market Cap
$113.44B
Sector
Healthcare
AI Confidence
85%

Valuation

P/E Ratio
HCA
18.28
VRTX
28.9
Forward P/E
HCA
19.25
VRTX
20.35
P/B Ratio
HCA
-20.36
VRTX
6.08
P/S Ratio
HCA
1.45
VRTX
9.45
EV/EBITDA
HCA
10.35
VRTX
22.37

Profitability

Gross Margin
HCA
41.38%
VRTX
53.66%
Operating Margin
HCA
15.47%
VRTX
39.6%
Profit Margin
HCA
8.53%
VRTX
32.94%
ROE
HCA
--
VRTX
22.54%
ROA
HCA
12.2%
VRTX
12.16%

Growth

Revenue Growth
HCA
9.6%
VRTX
9.5%
Earnings Growth
HCA
42.6%
VRTX
32.9%

Financial Health

Debt/Equity
HCA
--
VRTX
0.11
Current Ratio
HCA
0.85
VRTX
2.9
Quick Ratio
HCA
0.64
VRTX
2.24

Dividends

Dividend Yield
HCA
0.61%
VRTX
--
Payout Ratio
HCA
10.9%
VRTX
0.0%

AI Verdict

HCA BULLISH

HCA Healthcare trades near its 52-week high with strong price momentum, up 37.9% over the past year and 225.1% over five years, reflecting sustained operational outperformance. The company delivered robust YoY earnings growth of 42.6%, supported by consistent quarterly beats—21 of the last 25 quarters—and accelerating revenue growth at 9.6%. Despite a premium valuation relative to some peers, HCA’s profitability metrics, including a 15.47% operating margin and 12.20% ROA, are industry-leading and justify the multiple. Analysts are aligned with a 'buy' recommendation and a $477.57 target price, implying modest upside, while insider selling remains limited in volume and likely routine.

Strengths
Exceptional earnings growth of 42.6% YoY, significantly outpacing sector average revenue growth of 10.56%
Consistent earnings beat record: 21 out of 25 quarters beat estimates, with an average surprise of 13.95% over the last four
Superior profitability with 15.47% operating margin and 12.20% ROA, both above peer and sector medians
Risks
Negative Price/Book ratio (-20.36) suggests accumulated losses or aggressive share buybacks eroding book value
Limited liquidity with current ratio of 0.85 and quick ratio of 0.64, below the sector’s typical threshold for financial safety
Missing key financial data (EV, debt/equity, cash/debt, ROIC, ROE) raises transparency concerns and limits full capital structure analysis
VRTX NEUTRAL

VRTX shows neutral fundamentals based on deterministic rules. Financial strength is weak (F-Score 3/9). Mixed signals with both opportunities and risks present.

Strengths
Strong profitability (32.9% margin)
Low debt with D/E ratio of 0.11
Strong ROE of 22.5%
Risks
Premium vs Graham Number ($159.83)
Weak financial trend (Piotroski F-Score: 3/9)

Compare Another Pair

HCA vs VRTX: Head-to-Head Comparison

This page compares HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) across key fundamental metrics including valuation ratios, profitability margins, growth rates, financial health indicators, and dividend metrics. Each metric highlights the better-performing stock so you can quickly identify relative strengths and weaknesses.

Our AI engine independently analyzes each company's financials, competitive position, and market conditions to produce a verdict (Bullish, Neutral, or Bearish) along with key strengths and risks. Use this comparison alongside your own research to make informed investment decisions.

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