Shares of HCA Healthcare Inc. HCA, +2.74% were up 3.0% in premarket trading on Tuesday after the hospital company beat earnings and revenue expectations in the fourth quarter of 2020. HCA had earnings of $1.4 billion, or $4.13 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2020, up from $1.1 billion, or $3.09 per share, in the same quarter a year ago. The FactSet consensus was $3.57. It had revenue of $14.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2020, up from $13.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2019. That’s compared to the FactSet consensus of $13.9 billion. HCA said that during the final quarter of 2020 same-facility admissions fell 3.4%, same-facility emergency room visits dropped 21.0%, same-facility inpatient surgeries dropped 6.7%, and same-facility outpatient surgeries tumbled 5.1%. The company said that it expects revenue of $53.5 billion to $55.5 billion and earnings per share of $12.10 to $13.10 in 2021. It also announced that it has resumed its quarterly dividend program and its share repurchase program, with the board approving up to $6 billion in buybacks. Both programs were suspended at the start of the pandemic. HCA’s shares have gained 20.2% over the past 12 months, while the S&P 500 SPX, +1.61% is up 17.0%.
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