HCA Health Inc vs Paychex, Inc. — how do they compare? HCA Health Inc trades at $443.69 (market cap $95.08B), while Paychex, Inc. trades at $104.29 (market cap $36.15B). The key difference: HCA Health Inc is far larger — about 2.6× Paychex, Inc.'s market cap, and Paychex, Inc. pays the higher dividend (4.69%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold HCA Health Inc for 76 Days and Paychex, Inc. for 56 Days on average.
| HCA | PAYX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $95.08B | $36.15B |
Volume | 998,787 | 2,429,537 |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $545.13 | $128.59 |
52-Week Low | $361.32 | $85.57 |
Typical Hold Time | 76 Days | 56 Days |
Enterprise Value | $145.62B | $39.84B |
Dividend Yield | 0.71% | 4.69% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
HCA Healthcare (HCA) trades at $445.01, up 2.96% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong earnings beats in recent quarters. Revenue grew to $75.6B in 2025, with net income of $6.78B, and the stock trades at a P/E of 14.73. Analyst consensus is a Buy with a $461.12 price target, though ongoing legal investigations pose a headwind.
The outlook remains positive given solid demand and cost controls, but risks include payer-mix pressure and high debt levels. Upside potential exists if earnings growth continues, but investors should monitor legal developments and interest rate impacts on the leveraged balance sheet.
Paychex (PAYX) trades at $104.46, up 3.41% today, but remains in a bearish technical trend with resistance near $103. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings, beating estimates with EPS of $1.34, and maintains robust profitability with a net margin of 27.35%. Recent news highlights concerns over labor market cooling and dividend sustainability despite consistent payouts.
Outlook is mixed: solid fundamentals and a $111 consensus price target suggest upside, but bearish technicals and competitive pressures pose risks. The stock offers income via dividends, yet investor sentiment is cautious amid earnings quality questions and macroeconomic headwinds affecting small business employment trends.
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HCA Healthcare is a Nashville-based healthcare provider organization operating the largest collection of acute-care hospitals in the U.S. As of December 2021, the firm owned and operated 182 hospitals, 125 freestanding outpatient surgery centers, and a broad network of physician offices, urgent care clinics, and freestanding emergency rooms across nearly 20 states and a small foothold in England.
Read more on HCA →Paychex is a leading provider of payroll, human capital management, and insurance solutions servicing small and midsize clients primarily in the United States. The company, established in 1979, services over 730,000 clients and pays over 1 in 12 U.S. private-sector workers. Alongside its traditional payroll services, Paychex offers HCM solutions such as benefits administration and time and attendance software, as well as human resources outsourcing and insurance agency services.
Read more on PAYX →