ABBV vs. HCA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ABBV and HCA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ABBV | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AbbVie Inc. | HCA Healthcare, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Health Care Providers & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 406.64 billion USD | 101.45 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 2013 | March 10, 2011 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ABBV and HCA by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.58% | 1.72% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 22.68% | 14.40% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 11.60% | 25.40% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 17.77% | 10.47% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.58% | 1.72% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 29.54% | 44.44% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 7.35M | 1.03M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 5.73M | 1.36M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.02% | 22.70% |
| Beta | 0.36 | 1.38 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ABBV
95.59%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 97.92%
- Q3
- 11.99%
- Median
- -19.30%
- Q1
- -51.29%
- Min
- -132.03%
In the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, ABBV’s Return on Equity of 95.59% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
HCA
695.73%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 24.86%
- Q3
- 15.79%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- 5.75%
- Min
- -1.64%
HCA’s Return on Equity of 695.73% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ABBV
6.45%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 73.34%
- Q3
- 18.98%
- Median
- -12.96%
- Q1
- -105.72%
- Min
- -259.82%
ABBV’s Net Profit Margin of 6.45% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Biotechnology industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
HCA
8.21%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.56%
- Q3
- 5.45%
- Median
- 2.83%
- Q1
- 1.13%
- Min
- -1.71%
A Net Profit Margin of 8.21% places HCA in the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ABBV
18.80%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 78.85%
- Q3
- 21.90%
- Median
- -13.30%
- Q1
- -109.94%
- Min
- -278.10%
ABBV’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.80% is around the midpoint for the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
HCA
15.24%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.08%
- Q3
- 9.66%
- Median
- 4.77%
- Q1
- 2.46%
- Min
- -0.83%
An Operating Profit Margin of 15.24% places HCA in the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 95.59% | 695.73% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.73% | 10.02% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.45% | 8.21% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.80% | 15.24% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 70.93% | 84.79% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ABBV
0.74
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 16.97
- Q3
- 8.39
- Median
- 4.11
- Q1
- 2.64
- Min
- 0.74
ABBV’s Current Ratio of 0.74 falls into the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
HCA
0.98
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.14
HCA’s Current Ratio of 0.98 aligns with the median group of the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ABBV
49.22
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 1.92
- Q3
- 0.79
- Median
- 0.12
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 49.22, ABBV operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Biotechnology industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
HCA
125.80
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.29
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.50
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 125.80, HCA operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Health Care Providers & Services industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
ABBV
2.70
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 1.03
- Median
- -9.59
- Q1
- -65.05
- Min
- -163.11
ABBV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.70 is in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
HCA
5.18
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.50
- Median
- 4.52
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -4.44
HCA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.18 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.74 | 0.98 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.48 | 0.86 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 49.22 | 125.80 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.70 | 5.18 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ABBV
2.74%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ABBV’s Dividend Yield of 2.74% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Biotechnology industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
HCA
0.67%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.93%
- Q3
- 2.59%
- Median
- 1.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
HCA’s Dividend Yield of 0.67% is consistent with its peers in the Health Care Providers & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
ABBV
226.84%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
At 226.84%, ABBV’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Biotechnology industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.
HCA
11.47%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 185.33%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 36.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
HCA’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 11.47% is within the typical range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.74% | 0.67% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 226.84% | 11.47% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ABBV
109.81
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 40.44
- Q3
- 39.37
- Median
- 22.12
- Q1
- 15.76
- Min
- 3.48
At 109.81, ABBV’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
HCA
17.02
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 40.02
- Q3
- 29.75
- Median
- 21.09
- Q1
- 14.18
- Min
- 7.05
HCA’s P/E Ratio of 17.02 is within the middle range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ABBV
7.08
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 92.67
- Q3
- 41.36
- Median
- 8.45
- Q1
- 4.46
- Min
- 0.97
ABBV’s P/S Ratio of 7.08 aligns with the market consensus for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
HCA
1.40
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.15
- Q3
- 1.87
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.09
HCA’s P/S Ratio of 1.40 aligns with the market consensus for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ABBV
261.01
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 22.72
- Q3
- 10.68
- Median
- 4.55
- Q1
- 2.44
- Min
- 0.59
At 261.01, ABBV’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Biotechnology industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
HCA
256.92
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.33
- Q3
- 4.45
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.66
At 256.92, HCA’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 109.81 | 17.02 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 7.08 | 1.40 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 261.01 | 256.92 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 22.66 | 13.93 |