HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) vs Stryker Corporation (SYK)
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 August 23, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
HCA
HCA Healthcare, Inc.
$429.19HealthcareAt close: Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
SYK
Stryker Corporation
$329.45HealthcareAt close: Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — HCA vs SYK
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yHCA +518.0% (+20.0%/yr)SYK +224.1% (+12.5%/yr)HCA compounded faster over this window
HCA SYK
HCA vs SYK: by the numbers
- •SYK is the larger company ($126.30B vs $92.92B market cap).
- •HCA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (14.37 vs 34.14 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •SYK converts more revenue to profit (14.43% vs 8.77% net margin).
- •SYK grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.72% vs 6.85% CAGR).
- •SYK pays the higher dividend yield (1.06% vs 0.70%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | HCA | SYK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 14.37 | 34.14 |
| Forward P/E | 14.54 | 21.93 |
| P/S ratio | 1.23 | 4.92 |
| P/B ratio | N/A | 5.30 |
| EV / EBITDA | 9.11 | 20.00 |
| FCF yield | 6.27% | 3.70% |
Profitability
| Metric | HCA | SYK |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 41.50% | 65.17% |
| Operating margin | 15.48% | 22.03% |
| Net margin | 8.77% | 14.43% |
| ROE | -112.56% | 15.55% |
| ROIC | 19.41% | 9.82% |
Dividends
| Metric | HCA | SYK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.70% | 1.06% |
| Payout ratio | 10.48% | 40.99% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | HCA | SYK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.85% | 9.72% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 20.90% | 14.79% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 56.45% | 9.60% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 12.40% | 5.51% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, HCA or SYK?
- HCA has the lower trailing P/E: HCA trades at 14.37 and SYK at 34.14. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, HCA or SYK?
- Over the past five years, SYK grew revenue faster — HCA at a 6.85% CAGR versus SYK at 9.72%.
- Does HCA or SYK pay a bigger dividend?
- HCA yields 0.70% and SYK yields 1.06% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is HCA or SYK more profitable?
- SYK runs the higher net margin — HCA at 8.77% versus SYK at 14.43%.
- How have HCA and SYK total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, HCA delivered 20.01% and SYK delivered 12.44% annualized total return. 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 August 23, 2026.