ENSG vs. HCA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ENSG and HCA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ENSG | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | The Ensign Group, Inc. | 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 | 10.12 billion USD | 100.51 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 9, 2007 | March 10, 2011 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ENSG 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 | ENSG | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.24% | 2.05% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 16.79% | 14.06% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 35.55% | 24.31% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 20.68% | 6.36% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.52% | 0.78% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 32.02% | 43.11% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.30M | 1.04M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.39M | 1.36M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 26.11% | 22.69% |
| Beta | 0.86 | 1.38 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ENSG
17.15%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 24.86%
- Q3
- 15.79%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- 5.75%
- Min
- -1.64%
In the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, ENSG’s Return on Equity of 17.15% 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)
ENSG
6.99%
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 6.99% places ENSG 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
8.21%
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)
ENSG
8.57%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.08%
- Q3
- 9.66%
- Median
- 4.77%
- Q1
- 2.46%
- Min
- -0.83%
ENSG’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.57% is around the midpoint for the Health Care Providers & Services 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 | ENSG | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 17.15% | 695.73% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.80% | 10.02% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.99% | 8.21% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.57% | 15.24% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.32% | 84.79% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ENSG
1.41
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.14
ENSG’s Current Ratio of 1.41 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
0.98
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)
ENSG
0.07
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.29
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.50
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, ENSG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.07 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
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)
ENSG
34.73
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.50
- Median
- 4.52
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -4.44
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 34.73, ENSG demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
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 | ENSG | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.41 | 0.98 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.32 | 0.86 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.07 | 125.80 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 34.73 | 5.18 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ENSG
0.14%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.93%
- Q3
- 2.59%
- Median
- 1.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ENSG’s Dividend Yield of 0.14% is consistent with its peers in the Health Care Providers & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
HCA
0.68%
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 0.68% 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)
ENSG
4.35%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 185.33%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 36.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ENSG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 4.35% is within the typical range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
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 | ENSG | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.14% | 0.68% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 4.35% | 11.47% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ENSG
31.28
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 40.02
- Q3
- 29.75
- Median
- 21.09
- Q1
- 14.18
- Min
- 7.05
A P/E Ratio of 31.28 places ENSG in the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
HCA
16.89
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 16.89 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)
ENSG
2.19
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.15
- Q3
- 1.87
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.09
ENSG’s P/S Ratio of 2.19 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
1.39
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 1.39 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)
ENSG
4.40
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.33
- Q3
- 4.45
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.66
ENSG’s P/B Ratio of 4.40 is within the conventional range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
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 | ENSG | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 31.28 | 16.89 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.19 | 1.39 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.40 | 256.92 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 29.55 | 13.83 |