HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) vs Stryker Corporation (SYK)
HCA leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of HCA Healthcare, Inc. and Stryker Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 16, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — HCA vs SYK
growth of $100 · last 15yHCA +1179.6%SYK +393.6%HCA compounded faster
HCA SYK
HCA vs SYK: by the numbers
- •SYK is the larger company ($119.06B vs $88.05B market cap).
- •HCA trades at the lower earnings multiple (13.65 vs 35.95 P/E).
- •SYK converts more revenue to profit (13.21% vs 8.89% net margin).
- •SYK grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.42% vs 7.73% CAGR).
- •SYK pays the higher dividend yield (1.11% vs 0.76%).
Which is better, HCA or SYK?
Metric tally: HCA 9 · SYK 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueHCA(lower P/E)
GrowthSYK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSYK(higher dividend yield)
QualityHCA(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | HCA | SYK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 13.65● | 35.95 |
| Forward P/E | 11.96● | 18.56 |
| P/S ratio | 1.18● | 4.75 |
| P/B ratio | — | 5.22 |
| PEG ratio | 0.56● | 5.16 |
| EV / EBITDA | 8.86● | 21.49 |
| FCF yield | 8.81%● | 3.81% |
Profitability
| Metric | HCA | SYK |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 34.92% | 63.67%● |
| Operating margin | 15.67% | 21.34%● |
| Net margin | 8.89% | 13.21%● |
| ROE | -112.56% | 14.52%● |
| ROIC | 18.53%● | 8.53% |
Dividends
| Metric | HCA | SYK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.76% | 1.11%● |
| Payout ratio | 10.48% | 40.52% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | HCA | SYK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.73% | 11.42%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 20.90%● | 14.79% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 1.92% | 11.01%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.89%● | 4.98% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, HCA or SYK?
- It depends on your goal. value: HCA (lower P/E); growth: SYK (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: SYK (higher dividend yield); quality: HCA (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, HCA leads 9 to 7.
- Is HCA or SYK cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, HCA is cheaper: HCA trades at a 13.65 P/E and SYK at 35.95.
- Which has grown faster, HCA or SYK?
- Over the past five years, SYK grew revenue faster — HCA at a 7.73% CAGR versus SYK at 11.42%.
- Does HCA or SYK pay a bigger dividend?
- HCA yields 0.76% and SYK yields 1.11% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is HCA or SYK more profitable?
- SYK runs the higher net margin — HCA at 8.89% versus SYK at 13.21%.
- Which has been the better investment, HCA or SYK?
- Over the past 10-year, HCA delivered the higher annualized total return — HCA at 18.63% versus SYK at 11.71%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
HCA Healthcare P/E ratioStryker P/E ratioHCA Healthcare dividend yieldStryker dividend yieldHCA Healthcare ROEStryker ROEHCA Healthcare operating marginStryker operating marginHCA Healthcare revenue growthStryker revenue growthHCA Healthcare free cash flowStryker free cash flow
HCA Healthcare & Stryker appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 16, 2026.