Ensign Group (ENSG) vs HCA Healthcare (HCA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
HCA Healthcare (HCA) has outperformed Ensign Group (ENSG) over the past year, gaining 0.8% versus a loss of 4.0%. Over five years, ENSG leads with a +132.6% price change compared with +78.6% for HCA. HCA Healthcare is the larger company by market cap ($95.08 billion vs $9.86 billion), about 9.6 times the size, while Ensign Group is growing revenue faster (+18.7% vs +7.1%).
On valuation, HCA Healthcare trades at a lower forward P/E (13.7x vs 19.8x for Ensign Group). HCA Healthcare offers the higher dividend yield (0.68% vs 0.15%). HCA Healthcare converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.0% versus 6.8%.
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 | ENSG | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $169.22 | $439.17 |
| Market cap | $9.86B | $95.08B |
| 1-day change | -1.65% | +1.61% |
| YTD return | -2.73% | -5.55% |
| 1-year return | -3.99% | +0.77% |
| 5-year return | +132.63% | +78.61% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 26.52 | 14.72 |
| Forward P/E | 19.77 | 13.72 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.38 | $29.83 |
| Dividend yield | 0.15% | 0.68% |
| Annual dividend | $0.258 | $3.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.06B | $75.60B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +18.72% | +7.08% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $343.97M | $6.78B |
| Gross margin | 20.54% | — |
| Operating margin | 8.41% | — |
| Net margin | 6.80% | 8.97% |
| 52-week high | $218.00 | $556.52 |
| 52-week low | $141.58 | $353.99 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -22.38% | -21.09% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +30.01% | +4.58% |
| Average volume | 377.11K | 1.48M |
| Shares outstanding | 58.28M | 216.50M |
| Employees | 46,000 | 230,000 |
| Sector | Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Industry | Medical Care Facilities | Medical Care Facilities |
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 9.6 times larger than Ensign Group by market value ($95.08B vs $9.86B).
- Ensign Group trades at a higher earnings multiple (26.5x vs 14.7x trailing P/E).
- Ensign Group grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+18.72% vs +7.08%).
About Ensign Group
ENSG stock →The Ensign Group, Inc. provides skilled nursing, senior living, and rehabilitative services.
Healthcare · Medical Care Facilities · 46,000 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.
Healthcare · Medical Care Facilities · 230,000 employees
ENSG vs HCA FAQ
Which is bigger, Ensign Group or HCA Healthcare?
HCA Healthcare (HCA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $95.08B compared with $9.86B for Ensign Group (ENSG).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ENSG or HCA?
HCA returned +0.77% over the past 12 months, compared with -3.99% for ENSG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ENSG or HCA?
HCA has the lower trailing P/E at 14.7, versus 26.5 for ENSG. 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, Ensign Group or HCA Healthcare?
HCA Healthcare has the higher yield at 0.68%, compared with 0.15% for Ensign Group.
Are Ensign Group and HCA Healthcare in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Medical Care Facilities industry within the Healthcare sector.