HCA Healthcare (HCA) vs National HealthCare (NHC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
National HealthCare (NHC) has outperformed HCA Healthcare (HCA) over the past year, gaining 87.8% versus a gain of 0.4%. Over five years, NHC leads with a +206.5% price change compared with +77.9% for HCA. HCA Healthcare is the larger company by market cap ($95.26 billion vs $3.46 billion), about 27.5 times the size, while National HealthCare is growing revenue faster (+16.1% vs +7.1%).
On valuation, HCA Healthcare trades at a lower forward P/E (13.7x vs 514.4x for National HealthCare). National HealthCare offers the higher dividend yield (1.17% vs 0.68%). HCA Healthcare converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.0% versus 7.9%.
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 | HCA | NHC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $440.01 | $221.19 |
| Market cap | $95.26B | $3.46B |
| 1-day change | +0.18% | -3.10% |
| YTD return | -5.93% | +61.35% |
| 1-year return | +0.37% | +87.75% |
| 5-year return | +77.89% | +206.48% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 14.75 | 24.88 |
| Forward P/E | 13.75 | 514.40 |
| EPS (TTM) | $29.83 | $8.89 |
| Dividend yield | 0.68% | 1.17% |
| Annual dividend | $3.00 | $2.59 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $75.60B | $1.52B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +7.08% | +16.09% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $6.78B | $120.02M |
| Operating margin | — | 8.46% |
| Net margin | 8.97% | 7.91% |
| 52-week high | $556.52 | $239.29 |
| 52-week low | $353.99 | $116.42 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -20.94% | -7.56% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +4.38% | — |
| Average volume | 1.47M | 108.54K |
| Shares outstanding | 216.50M | 15.66M |
| Employees | 230,000 | 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
- HCA Healthcare is about 27.5 times larger than National HealthCare by market value ($95.26B vs $3.46B).
- NHC has outperformed HCA by 87.4 percentage points over the past year.
- National HealthCare trades at a higher earnings multiple (24.9x vs 14.8x trailing P/E).
- National HealthCare grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+16.09% vs +7.08%).
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
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
HCA vs NHC FAQ
Which is bigger, HCA Healthcare or National HealthCare?
HCA Healthcare (HCA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $95.26B compared with $3.46B for National HealthCare (NHC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HCA or NHC?
NHC returned +87.75% over the past 12 months, compared with +0.37% for HCA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, HCA or NHC?
HCA has the lower trailing P/E at 14.8, versus 24.9 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, HCA Healthcare or National HealthCare?
National HealthCare has the higher yield at 1.17%, compared with 0.68% for HCA Healthcare.
Are HCA Healthcare and National HealthCare in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Hospital/Nursing Management industry within the Health Care sector.