HCA Healthcare (HCA) vs Universal Health Services (UHS)
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 Universal Health Services (UHS) over the past year, gaining 0.4% versus a loss of 16.7%. Over five years, HCA leads with a +77.9% price change compared with +31.3% for UHS. HCA Healthcare is the larger company by market cap ($95.50 billion vs $10.31 billion), about 9.3 times the size, while Universal Health Services is growing revenue faster (+9.7% vs +7.1%).
On valuation, Universal Health Services trades at a lower forward P/E (7.3x vs 13.8x for HCA Healthcare). HCA Healthcare offers the higher dividend yield (0.68% vs 0.46%). HCA Healthcare converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.0% versus 8.6%.
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 | UHS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $441.11 | $174.98 |
| Market cap | $95.50B | $10.31B |
| 1-day change | +0.44% | +0.20% |
| YTD return | -5.93% | -19.91% |
| 1-year return | +0.37% | -16.73% |
| 5-year return | +77.89% | +31.27% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 14.79 | 7.14 |
| Forward P/E | 13.78 | 7.30 |
| EPS (TTM) | $29.83 | $24.52 |
| Dividend yield | 0.68% | 0.46% |
| Annual dividend | $3.00 | $0.80 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $75.60B | $17.36B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +7.08% | +9.71% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $6.78B | $1.49B |
| Operating margin | — | 11.48% |
| Net margin | 8.97% | 8.57% |
| 52-week high | $556.52 | $246.33 |
| 52-week low | $353.99 | $140.08 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -20.74% | -28.97% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +4.12% | +11.41% |
| Average volume | 1.47M | 793.29K |
| Shares outstanding | 216.50M | 51.69M |
| Employees | 230,000 | 102,000 |
| 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 9.3 times larger than Universal Health Services by market value ($95.50B vs $10.31B).
- HCA has outperformed UHS by 17.1 percentage points over the past year.
- HCA Healthcare trades at a higher earnings multiple (14.8x vs 7.1x 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 Universal Health Services
UHS stock →Universal Health Services, Inc., through its subsidiaries, owns and operates acute care hospitals, and outpatient and behavioral health care facilities in the United States. It operates through Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Care Services segments.
Health Care · Hospital/Nursing Management · 102,000 employees
HCA vs UHS FAQ
Which is bigger, HCA Healthcare or Universal Health Services?
HCA Healthcare (HCA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $95.50B compared with $10.31B for Universal Health Services (UHS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HCA or UHS?
HCA returned +0.37% over the past 12 months, compared with -16.73% for UHS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, HCA or UHS?
UHS has the lower trailing P/E at 7.1, versus 14.8 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 Universal Health Services?
HCA Healthcare has the higher yield at 0.68%, compared with 0.46% for Universal Health Services.
Are HCA Healthcare and Universal Health Services in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Hospital/Nursing Management industry within the Health Care sector.