HCA vs. UHS
HCA (HCA Healthcare, Inc.) and UHS (Universal Health Services, Inc.) are both stocks. Both operate in the Medical Care Facilities industry within the Healthcare sector. Over the past 10 years, HCA returned 19.22%/yr vs 3.45%/yr for UHS. Their 0.71 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently.
Performance
HCA vs. UHS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HCA achieves a -13.47% return, which is significantly higher than UHS's -22.56% return. Over the past 10 years, HCA has outperformed UHS with an annualized return of 19.22%, while UHS has yielded a comparatively lower 3.45% annualized return.
HCA
- 1D
- 1.72%
- 1M
- -1.93%
- 6M
- -17.26%
- YTD
- -13.47%
- 1Y
- 13.55%
- 3Y*
- 14.59%
- 5Y*
- 11.08%
- 10Y*
- 19.22%
- ALL TIME*
- 20.40%
UHS
- 1D
- 3.15%
- 1M
- 6.39%
- 6M
- -16.11%
- YTD
- -22.56%
- 1Y
- 3.79%
- 3Y*
- 7.03%
- 5Y*
- 1.51%
- 10Y*
- 3.45%
- ALL TIME*
- 15.23%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $671.68M | $709.79M | $659.23M | |
| $196.29M | $163.61M | $167.22M |
HCA vs. UHS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HCA HCA Healthcare, Inc. | -13.47% | 56.71% | 11.75% | 13.83% | -5.64% | 57.58% | 12.07% | 20.24% | 43.37% | 18.67% |
UHS Universal Health Services, Inc. | -22.56% | 22.02% | 18.19% | 8.83% | 9.37% | -5.16% | -4.00% | 23.62% | 3.16% | 6.93% |
Correlation
The correlation between HCA and UHS is 0.68, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.68 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.72 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.73 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.73 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2011 | 0.71 |
The correlation between HCA and UHS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.
Fundamentals
HCA:
$87.16B
UHS:
$10.20B
HCA:
$29.12
UHS:
$31.93
HCA:
13.82
UHS:
5.28
HCA:
1.65
UHS:
0.23
HCA:
1.23
UHS:
0.44
HCA:
$76.39B
UHS:
$18.11B
HCA:
$26.68B
UHS:
$8.80B
HCA:
$15.67B
UHS:
$2.82B
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Return for Risk
HCA vs. UHS — Risk / Return Rank
HCA
UHS
HCA vs. UHS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) and Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| HCA | UHS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.43 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.57 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.11 | 1.04 | +0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.43 | 0.04 | +0.39 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.98 | 0.08 | +0.90 |
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Drawdowns
HCA vs. UHS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HCA drawdown since its inception was -54.74%, smaller than the maximum UHS drawdown of -60.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HCA and UHS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HCA | UHS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -54.74% | -60.27% | +5.53% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -33.62% | -42.00% | +8.38% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -33.62% | -42.00% | +8.38% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -39.49% | -43.73% | +4.24% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -54.74% | -56.30% | +1.56% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -25.89% | -30.80% | +4.91% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.19% | -14.90% | +3.71% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 14.90% | 21.71% | -6.81% |
Volatility
HCA vs. UHS - Volatility Comparison
HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) has a higher volatility of 14.90% compared to Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) at 12.36%. This indicates that HCA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UHS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| HCA | UHS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 14.90% | 12.36% | +2.54% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.46% | 27.12% | -2.66% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 30.18% | 32.05% | -1.87% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 29.85% | 32.04% | -2.19% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 32.92% | 34.50% | -1.58% |
Dividends
HCA vs. UHS - Dividend Comparison
HCA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.75%, more than UHS's 0.47% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HCA HCA Healthcare, Inc. | 0.75% | 0.62% | 0.88% | 0.89% | 0.93% | 0.75% | 0.63% | 1.08% | 1.12% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
UHS Universal Health Services, Inc. | 0.47% | 0.37% | 0.45% | 0.52% | 0.57% | 0.62% | 0.15% | 0.42% | 0.34% | 0.35% | 0.38% | 0.33% |
Financials
HCA vs. UHS - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between HCA Healthcare, Inc. and Universal Health Services, Inc.. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
HCA vs. UHS - Profitability Comparison
HCA - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, HCA Healthcare, Inc. reported a gross profit of 2.86B and revenue of 19.11B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 15.0%.
UHS - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Universal Health Services, Inc. reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 4.64B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.
HCA - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, HCA Healthcare, Inc. reported an operating income of 2.86B and revenue of 19.11B, resulting in an operating margin of 15.0%.
UHS - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Universal Health Services, Inc. reported an operating income of 516.68M and revenue of 4.64B, resulting in an operating margin of 11.1%.
HCA - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, HCA Healthcare, Inc. reported a net income of 1.62B and revenue of 19.11B, resulting in a net margin of 8.5%.
UHS - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Universal Health Services, Inc. reported a net income of 358.45M and revenue of 4.64B, resulting in a net margin of 7.7%.
Frequently Asked Questions
HCA and UHS have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
HCA has higher volatility (14.90%) compared to UHS (12.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HCA dropped -54.74% vs UHS's -60.27%.
HCA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.48 vs 0.05), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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