HCA Healthcare (HCA) vs PACS Group (PACS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
PACS Group (PACS) has outperformed HCA Healthcare (HCA) over the past year, gaining 224.7% versus a gain of 0.4%. HCA Healthcare is the larger company by market cap ($96.17 billion vs $6.91 billion), about 13.9 times the size, while PACS Group is growing revenue faster (+29.3% vs +7.1%). On valuation, HCA Healthcare trades at a lower forward P/E (13.9x vs 16.0x for PACS Group).
HCA Healthcare pays a dividend yielding 0.68%, while PACS Group does not currently pay one. HCA Healthcare converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.0% versus 3.6%.
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 | PACS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $444.21 | $43.66 |
| Market cap | $96.17B | $6.91B |
| 1-day change | +1.15% | +1.10% |
| YTD return | -5.93% | +12.50% |
| 1-year return | +0.37% | +224.74% |
| 5-year return | +77.89% | — |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 14.89 | 25.53 |
| Forward P/E | 13.88 | 15.99 |
| EPS (TTM) | $29.83 | $1.71 |
| Dividend yield | 0.68% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $3.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $75.60B | $5.29B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +7.08% | +29.32% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $6.78B | $191.54M |
| Gross margin | — | 21.92% |
| Operating margin | — | 5.85% |
| Net margin | 8.97% | 3.62% |
| 52-week high | $556.52 | $49.49 |
| 52-week low | $353.99 | $10.31 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -20.18% | -11.77% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +3.39% | +35.13% |
| Average volume | 1.47M | 803.44K |
| Shares outstanding | 216.50M | 158.34M |
| Employees | 230,000 | 47,455 |
| 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 13.9 times larger than PACS Group by market value ($96.17B vs $6.91B).
- PACS has outperformed HCA by 224.4 percentage points over the past year.
- PACS Group trades at a higher earnings multiple (25.5x vs 14.9x trailing P/E).
- HCA Healthcare is more profitable, keeping 9.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 3.6 cents for PACS Group.
- PACS Group grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+29.32% 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 PACS Group
PACS stock →PACS Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities in the United States. It also provides senior care and independent living facilities.
Health Care · Hospital/Nursing Management · 47,455 employees
HCA vs PACS FAQ
Which is bigger, HCA Healthcare or PACS Group?
HCA Healthcare (HCA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $96.17B compared with $6.91B for PACS Group (PACS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HCA or PACS?
PACS returned +224.74% 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 PACS?
HCA has the lower trailing P/E at 14.9, versus 25.5 for PACS. 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 PACS Group?
HCA Healthcare pays a dividend yielding 0.68%, while PACS Group does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are HCA Healthcare and PACS Group in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Hospital/Nursing Management industry within the Health Care sector.