Encompass Health (EHC) vs HCA Healthcare (HCA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
HCA Healthcare (HCA) has outperformed Encompass Health (EHC) over the past year, gaining 0.4% versus a loss of 2.2%. Over five years, EHC leads with a +127.7% price change compared with +77.9% for HCA. HCA Healthcare is the larger company by market cap ($95.08 billion vs $12.08 billion), about 7.9 times the size, while Encompass Health is growing revenue faster (+10.5% vs +7.1%).
On valuation, HCA Healthcare trades at a lower forward P/E (13.7x vs 18.3x for Encompass Health). HCA Healthcare offers the higher dividend yield (0.68% vs 0.62%). Encompass Health converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.5% versus 9.0%.
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 | EHC | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $122.48 | $439.17 |
| Market cap | $12.08B | $95.08B |
| 1-day change | -1.77% | +1.61% |
| YTD return | +15.39% | -5.93% |
| 1-year return | -2.17% | +0.37% |
| 5-year return | +127.68% | +77.89% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.87 | 14.49 |
| Forward P/E | 18.34 | 13.72 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.87 | $30.31 |
| Dividend yield | 0.62% | 0.68% |
| Annual dividend | $0.76 | $3.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.94B | $75.60B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.46% | +7.08% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $566.20M | $6.78B |
| Net margin | 9.54% | 8.97% |
| 52-week high | $127.99 | $556.52 |
| 52-week low | $92.77 | $353.99 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -4.31% | -21.09% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +20.97% | +4.58% |
| Average volume | 915.72K | 1.48M |
| Shares outstanding | 98.65M | 216.50M |
| Employees | 29,699 | 230,000 |
| 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
- HCA Healthcare is about 7.9 times larger than Encompass Health by market value ($95.08B vs $12.08B).
- Encompass Health trades at a higher earnings multiple (20.9x vs 14.5x trailing P/E).
About Encompass Health
EHC stock →Encompass Health Corporation operates inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the United States and Puerto Rico. The company offers specialized rehabilitative treatment, using technology and therapy, on an inpatient basis for patients recovering from a major injury or illness and seeking to regain functional ability, independence, and quality of life; medical, nursing, therapy, and ancillary services; and rehabilitative care to patients who are recovering from conditions, such as stroke and other neurological disorders, cardiac and pulmonary conditions, brain and spinal cord injuries, complex orthopedic conditions, and amputations.
Health Care · Hospital/Nursing Management · 29,699 employees
About HCA Healthcare
HCA stock →HCA Healthcare, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides health care services in the United States. The company owns, manages, and operates hospitals, ASCs, freestanding emergency care facilities, urgent care facilities, walk-in clinics, diagnostic and imaging centers, radiation and oncology therapy centers, as well as rehabilitation and physical therapy centers, physician practices, home health agencies, hospices, outpatient physical therapy providers, home and community-based services providers, and various other facilities.
Health Care · Hospital/Nursing Management · 230,000 employees
EHC vs HCA FAQ
Which is bigger, Encompass Health or HCA Healthcare?
HCA Healthcare (HCA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $95.08B compared with $12.08B for Encompass Health (EHC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, EHC or HCA?
HCA returned +0.37% over the past 12 months, compared with -2.17% for EHC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, EHC or HCA?
HCA has the lower trailing P/E at 14.5, versus 20.9 for EHC. 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, Encompass Health or HCA Healthcare?
HCA Healthcare has the higher yield at 0.68%, compared with 0.62% for Encompass Health.
Are Encompass Health and HCA Healthcare in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Hospital/Nursing Management industry within the Health Care sector.