HCA Healthcare (HCA) vs Tenet Healthcare (THC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Tenet Healthcare (THC) has outperformed HCA Healthcare (HCA) over the past year, gaining 26.9% versus a gain of 0.4%. Over five years, THC leads with a +308.8% price change compared with +77.9% for HCA. HCA Healthcare is the larger company by market cap ($95.08 billion vs $20.92 billion), about 4.5 times the size.
On valuation, Tenet Healthcare trades at a lower forward P/E (12.3x vs 13.7x for HCA Healthcare). HCA Healthcare pays a dividend yielding 0.68%, while Tenet Healthcare does not currently pay one. Tenet Healthcare converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.1% 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 | HCA | THC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $439.17 | $259.83 |
| Market cap | $95.08B | $20.92B |
| 1-day change | +1.61% | +0.53% |
| YTD return | -5.93% | +30.75% |
| 1-year return | +0.37% | +26.85% |
| 5-year return | +77.89% | +308.79% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 14.72 | 10.01 |
| Forward P/E | 13.72 | 12.32 |
| EPS (TTM) | $29.83 | $25.97 |
| Dividend yield | 0.68% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $3.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $75.60B | $21.31B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +7.08% | +3.07% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $6.78B | $2.37B |
| Operating margin | — | 16.46% |
| Net margin | 8.97% | 11.11% |
| 52-week high | $556.52 | $283.05 |
| 52-week low | $353.99 | $157.58 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -21.09% | -8.20% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +4.58% | +9.81% |
| Average volume | 1.48M | 974.83K |
| Shares outstanding | 216.50M | 80.52M |
| Employees | 230,000 | 77,000 |
| 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 4.5 times larger than Tenet Healthcare by market value ($95.08B vs $20.92B).
- THC has outperformed HCA by 26.5 percentage points over the past year.
- HCA Healthcare trades at a higher earnings multiple (14.7x vs 10.0x trailing P/E).
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 Tenet Healthcare
THC stock →Tenet Healthcare Corporation operates as a diversified healthcare services company in the United States. The company operates through two segments: Hospital Operations and Services, and Ambulatory Care.
Health Care · Hospital/Nursing Management · 77,000 employees
HCA vs THC FAQ
Which is bigger, HCA Healthcare or Tenet Healthcare?
HCA Healthcare (HCA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $95.08B compared with $20.92B for Tenet Healthcare (THC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HCA or THC?
THC returned +26.85% 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 THC?
THC has the lower trailing P/E at 10.0, versus 14.7 for HCA. 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 Tenet Healthcare?
HCA Healthcare pays a dividend yielding 0.68%, while Tenet Healthcare does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are HCA Healthcare and Tenet Healthcare in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Hospital/Nursing Management industry within the Health Care sector.