EHC vs. HCA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at EHC and HCA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | EHC | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Encompass Health Corporation | HCA Healthcare, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Providers & Services | Health Care Providers & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 11.51 billion USD | 114.89 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | September 24, 1986 | March 10, 2011 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of EHC 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 | EHC | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.59% | 0.77% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -8.62% | 17.82% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -6.92% | 23.10% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 13.81% | 42.13% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.93% | 3.61% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 22.13% | 58.68% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.66M | 1.26M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.78M | 1.34M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 20.17% | 22.28% |
| Beta | 0.75 | 1.33 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
EHC
24.37%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 24.67%
- Q3
- 15.54%
- Median
- 8.37%
- Q1
- 5.49%
- Min
- -2.09%
In the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, EHC’s Return on Equity of 24.37% 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
- 24.67%
- Q3
- 15.54%
- Median
- 8.37%
- Q1
- 5.49%
- Min
- -2.09%
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)
EHC
9.33%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 9.33%
- Q3
- 4.80%
- Median
- 2.90%
- Q1
- 0.93%
- Min
- -3.28%
A Net Profit Margin of 9.33% places EHC in the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
HCA
8.53%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 9.33%
- Q3
- 4.80%
- Median
- 2.90%
- Q1
- 0.93%
- Min
- -3.28%
A Net Profit Margin of 8.53% 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)
EHC
17.29%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 18.35%
- Q3
- 8.71%
- Median
- 5.10%
- Q1
- 2.10%
- Min
- -3.07%
An Operating Profit Margin of 17.29% places EHC 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.
HCA
15.64%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 18.35%
- Q3
- 8.71%
- Median
- 5.10%
- Q1
- 2.10%
- Min
- -3.07%
An Operating Profit Margin of 15.64% 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 | EHC | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 24.37% | 695.73% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.07% | 10.64% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.33% | 8.53% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.29% | 15.64% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 95.65% | 84.96% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
EHC
1.14
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.56
- Median
- 1.28
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.01
EHC’s Current Ratio of 1.14 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.
HCA
0.85
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.56
- Median
- 1.28
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.01
HCA’s Current Ratio of 0.85 falls into the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
EHC
1.02
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.41
- Q3
- 1.39
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.46
- Min
- 0.00
EHC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.02 is typical for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
HCA
125.80
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.41
- Q3
- 1.39
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.46
- 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)
EHC
6.58
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.46
- Median
- 4.52
- Q1
- 2.04
- Min
- -4.44
EHC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.58 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
HCA
5.18
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.46
- Median
- 4.52
- Q1
- 2.04
- 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 | EHC | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.14 | 0.85 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.97 | 0.76 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.02 | 125.80 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 6.58 | 5.18 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
EHC
0.60%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.51%
- Q3
- 2.66%
- Median
- 1.06%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
EHC’s Dividend Yield of 0.60% is consistent with its peers in the Health Care Providers & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
HCA
0.61%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.51%
- Q3
- 2.66%
- Median
- 1.06%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
HCA’s Dividend Yield of 0.61% 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)
EHC
12.77%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 187.56%
- Q3
- 81.14%
- Median
- 33.42%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
EHC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 12.77% is within the typical range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
HCA
10.75%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 187.56%
- Q3
- 81.14%
- Median
- 33.42%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
HCA’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 10.75% 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 | EHC | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.60% | 0.61% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 12.77% | 10.75% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
EHC
21.43
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 48.86
- Q3
- 32.22
- Median
- 21.78
- Q1
- 13.97
- Min
- 8.01
EHC’s P/E Ratio of 21.43 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.
HCA
17.68
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 48.86
- Q3
- 32.22
- Median
- 21.78
- Q1
- 13.97
- Min
- 8.01
HCA’s P/E Ratio of 17.68 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)
EHC
2.00
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.66
- Q3
- 1.64
- Median
- 0.72
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.10
EHC’s P/S Ratio of 2.00 is in the upper echelon for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
HCA
1.51
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.66
- Q3
- 1.64
- Median
- 0.72
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.10
HCA’s P/S Ratio of 1.51 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)
EHC
5.39
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.33
- Q3
- 4.33
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.31
- Min
- 0.65
EHC’s P/B Ratio of 5.39 is in the upper tier for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
HCA
256.92
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.33
- Q3
- 4.33
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.31
- Min
- 0.65
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 | EHC | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.43 | 17.68 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.00 | 1.51 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.39 | 256.92 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 28.80 | 13.85 |