Community Health Systems (CYH) 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 Community Health Systems (CYH) over the past year, gaining 87.7% versus a loss of 13.9%. Over five years, NHC leads with a +212.0% price change compared with -73.6% for CYH. National HealthCare is the larger company by market cap ($3.56 billion vs $389.9 million), about 9.1 times the size.
On valuation, Community Health Systems trades at a lower trailing P/E (1.5x vs 25.6x for National HealthCare). National HealthCare pays a dividend yielding 1.14%, while Community Health Systems does not currently pay one.
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 | CYH | NHC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $2.77 | $227.21 |
| Market cap | $389.89M | $3.56B |
| 1-day change | +1.28% | +0.91% |
| YTD return | -12.50% | +64.25% |
| 1-year return | -13.88% | +87.66% |
| 5-year return | -73.62% | +212.00% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 1.49 | 25.56 |
| Forward P/E | — | 528.40 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.85 | $8.89 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.14% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.59 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $1.52B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +16.09% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $120.02M |
| Operating margin | — | 8.46% |
| Net margin | — | 7.91% |
| 52-week high | $4.43 | $239.29 |
| 52-week low | $2.41 | $116.42 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -37.58% | -5.05% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +11.75% | — |
| Average volume | 1.49M | 108.25K |
| Shares outstanding | 141.01M | 15.66M |
| Employees | 44,000 | 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 9.1 times larger than Community Health Systems by market value ($3.56B vs $389.89M).
- NHC has outperformed CYH by 101.5 percentage points over the past year.
- National HealthCare trades at a higher earnings multiple (25.6x vs 1.5x trailing P/E).
- National HealthCare offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.14% vs 0.00%).
About Community Health Systems
CYH stock →Community Health Systems, Inc. owns, leases, and operates general acute care hospitals in the United States.
Health Care · Hospital/Nursing Management · 44,000 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
CYH vs NHC FAQ
Which is bigger, Community Health Systems or National HealthCare?
National HealthCare (NHC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.56B compared with $389.89M for Community Health Systems (CYH).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CYH or NHC?
NHC returned +87.66% over the past 12 months, compared with -13.88% for CYH (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CYH or NHC?
CYH has the lower trailing P/E at 1.5, versus 25.6 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, Community Health Systems or National HealthCare?
National HealthCare pays a dividend yielding 1.14%, while Community Health Systems does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Community Health Systems and National HealthCare in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Hospital/Nursing Management industry within the Health Care sector.