HCA Health Inc vs Packaging Corporation of America — how do they compare? HCA Health Inc trades at $372.1 (market cap $82.17B), while Packaging Corporation of America trades at $229.03 (market cap $20.77B). The key difference: HCA Health Inc is far larger — about 4× Packaging Corporation of America's market cap, and Packaging Corporation of America pays the higher dividend (2.57%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HCA | PKG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $82.17B | $20.77B |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $545.13 | $246.31 |
52-Week Low | $334.32 | $191.41 |
Enterprise Value | $131.08B | $24.59B |
Dividend Yield | 0.84% | 2.57% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
HCA Healthcare trades at $370.74, down 0.12% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamentals including consistent earnings beats and revenue growth to $75.6 billion in 2025. The stock faces headwinds from lowered 2026 guidance and negative news flow, but maintains a solid valuation with a P/E of 12.79 and positive analyst consensus.
The outlook is mixed: attractive valuation and operational strength support upside to the $469.40 price target, but near-term risks from payer mix shifts and legal investigations warrant caution. Long-term growth drivers include capacity expansion and medical advancements, though investor sentiment is currently pressured.
Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) trades at $228.43, down 1.99% today, with mixed technical signals showing bullish moving averages but neutral oscillators. The company reported Q1 2026 EPS of $2.40, beating estimates, but faces margin pressure with net income expected to decline to $741 million in 2026. Recent developments include a 20% dividend increase and upcoming Q2 earnings on July 22, 2026.
PKG presents a balanced outlook with strong institutional support and dividend growth offset by earnings volatility and margin compression. The consensus price target of $256.14 suggests 12% upside potential, but investors should monitor Q2 results and cost management amid inflationary pressures.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Packaging Corporation of America is a leading producer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products in North America. The company also produces white papers, which include printing and writing papers. PKG operates as an integrated manufacturer, with a strong focus on high-quality and sustainable packaging solutions for e-commerce, food and beverage, and other industrial and consumer markets.
Read more on PKG →