Ardent Health (ARDT) vs National HealthCare (NHC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
National HealthCare (NHC) has outperformed Ardent Health (ARDT) over the past year, gaining 87.7% versus a loss of 24.5%. National HealthCare is the larger company by market cap ($3.54 billion vs $1.58 billion), about 2.2 times the size. On valuation, Ardent Health trades at a lower forward P/E (8.9x vs 526.1x for National HealthCare).
National HealthCare pays a dividend yielding 1.14%, while Ardent Health does not currently pay one. National HealthCare converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 7.9% versus 2.1%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ARDT | NHC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $11.21 | $226.21 |
| Market cap | $1.58B | $3.54B |
| 1-day change | +1.22% | +0.46% |
| YTD return | +25.37% | +64.25% |
| 1-year return | -24.49% | +87.66% |
| 5-year return | — | +212.00% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.75 | 25.45 |
| Forward P/E | 8.93 | 526.07 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.54 | $8.89 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.14% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.59 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $6.32B | $1.52B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.01% | +16.09% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $135.81M | $120.02M |
| Operating margin | — | 8.46% |
| Net margin | 2.15% | 7.91% |
| 52-week high | $15.48 | $239.29 |
| 52-week low | $7.71 | $116.42 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -27.62% | -5.47% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.07% | — |
| Average volume | 446.62K | 108.25K |
| Shares outstanding | 141.05M | 15.66M |
| Employees | 19,500 | 15,278 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Hospital/Nursing Management | Hospital/Nursing Management |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- National HealthCare is about 2.2 times larger than Ardent Health by market value ($3.54B vs $1.58B).
- NHC has outperformed ARDT by 112.1 percentage points over the past year.
- National HealthCare offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.14% vs 0.00%).
- National HealthCare is more profitable, keeping 7.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 2.1 cents for Ardent Health.
- National HealthCare grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+16.09% vs +6.01%).
About Ardent Health
ARDT stock →Ardent Health, Inc. owns and operates a network of hospitals and clinics that provides healthcare services in the United States.
Health Care · Hospital/Nursing Management · 19,500 employees
About National HealthCare
NHC stock →National HealthCare Corporation engages in the operation of services to skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, homecare and hospice agencies, and health hospitals. It operates through two segments: Inpatient and Homecare and Hospice Services.
Health Care · Hospital/Nursing Management · 15,278 employees
ARDT vs NHC FAQ
Which is bigger, Ardent Health or National HealthCare?
National HealthCare (NHC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.54B compared with $1.58B for Ardent Health (ARDT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ARDT or NHC?
NHC returned +87.66% over the past 12 months, compared with -24.49% for ARDT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ARDT or NHC?
ARDT has the lower trailing P/E at 20.7, versus 25.4 for NHC. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Ardent Health or National HealthCare?
National HealthCare pays a dividend yielding 1.14%, while Ardent Health does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Ardent Health and National HealthCare in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Hospital/Nursing Management industry within the Health Care sector.