5 top hospital stocks to buy in 2024

The best hospital stocks depend on your portfolio and investment goals — while volatility can be ideal for day traders, long-term investors will want to look to stocks with steadier gains over time.

Top 5 stocks of Nov 2024

The top acute healthcare stocks included on this page all trade on the S&P 500, have an analyst recommendation of "Buy" or better and are sorted by year-to-date performance.

1. HCA (HCA)
2. Universal Health Services (UHS)
3. Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC)
4. Acadia Healthcare Company (ACHC)
5. Community Health Systems (CYH)

Our top broker picks

How to invest in hospital stocks

1. Choose an online stock trading platform. Choose from our Top Picks above, use our comparison table below or jump straight to the best stock trading apps of 2024.
2. Sign up for an account. Provide your personal information and sign up.
3. Set up a funding method to pay for the transaction. Deposit funds into your account by linking your banking information.
4. Choose the stocks you want to buy. Search for the stock by name or ticker symbol like HCA or UHS.
5. Place your order. Buy the stock. It's that simple.

Take a deeper dive into hospital stocks

If you're interested in investing in the acute healthcare industry, take a closer look at what companies in this industry do and how the stocks have historically performed. Keep in mind that positive past performance doesn't guarantee that a stock will continue to rise in the future.

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1. HCA (HCA)

HCA Healthcare, Inc. , through its subsidiaries, owns and operates hospitals and related healthcare entities in the United States. It operates general and acute care hospitals that offers medical and surgical services, including inpatient care, intensive care, cardiac care, diagnostic, and emergency services; and outpatient services, such as outpatient surgery, laboratory, radiology, respiratory therapy, cardiology, and physical therapy.

HCA stock opened the day at $360.52 after a previous close of $357.19. The latest price was $357.19 (25-minute delay). HCA is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD69.6 billion and employs 220,000 staff.

• Market capitalization: $93,143,965,696
• P/E ratio: 16.1014
• PEG ratio: 1.1609

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2. Universal Health Services (UHS)

Universal Health Services, Inc. , through its subsidiaries, owns and operates acute care hospitals, and outpatient and behavioral health care facilities. It operates through Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Care Services segments.

Universal Health Services stock opened the day at $206.65 after a previous close of $205.26. The latest price was $205.26 (25-minute delay). Universal Health Services is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$15.4 billion and employs 96,700 staff.

• Market capitalization: $13,842,982,912
• P/E ratio: 13.6025
• PEG ratio: 1.87

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3. Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC)

Tenet Healthcare Corporation operates as a diversified healthcare services company in the United States. The company operates through two segments: Hospital Operations and Services, and Ambulatory Care. Its general hospitals offer acute care services, operating and recovery rooms, radiology and respiratory therapy services, clinical laboratories, and pharmacies.

Tenet Healthcare Corporation stock opened the day at $156.58 after a previous close of $156.13. The latest price was $156.13 (25-minute delay). Tenet Healthcare Corporation is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$21 billion and employs 78,810 staff.

• Market capitalization: $14,741,937,152
• P/E ratio: 4.9104
• PEG ratio: 0.8071

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4. Acadia Healthcare Company (ACHC)

Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. provides behavioral healthcare services in the United States and Puerto Rico. The company develops and operates acute inpatient psychiatric facilities, specialty treatment facilities comprising residential recovery facilities and eating disorder facilities, comprehensive treatment centers, and residential treatment centers, as well as facilities offering outpatient behavioral healthcare services for the behavioral healthcare and recovery needs of communities.

Acadia Healthcare Company stock opened the day at $42.56 after a previous close of $42.02. The latest price was $42.02 (25-minute delay). Acadia Healthcare Company is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$3.1 billion and employs 23,500 staff.

• Market capitalization: $4,837,459,968
• P/E ratio: 13.9967
• PEG ratio: 1.32

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5. Community Health Systems (CYH)

Community Health Systems, Inc. owns, leases, and operates general acute care hospitals in the United States. It offers general acute care, emergency room, general and specialty surgery, critical care, internal medicine, obstetrics, diagnostic, psychiatric, and rehabilitation services, as well as skilled nursing and home care services.

Community Health Systems stock opened the day at $4.09 after a previous close of $4.20. The latest price was $4.20 (25-minute delay). Community Health Systems is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$12.6 billion and employs 48,000 staff.

• Market capitalization: $600,254,592
• PEG ratio: -1.64

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Bottom line

While it’s possible to turn a profit investing in hospital stocks, keep in mind that — like any investment — hospital stocks are not immune to risk. These stocks are subject to fluctuating conditions — both in the market and in the acute healthcare industry, so carefully vet your picks before you invest. And if you’re new to investing, or if it’s been awhile since you’ve taken a critical look at your investing accounts, compare brokers to make sure you’re getting the best features in your trading account.

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