HCA Healthcare Slides 1.44% Amid 27.23% Volume Drop Ranks 174th as Medical-Hospitals Sector Leader Holds Third Spot

On August 21, 2025, HCA Healthcare (HCA) closed with a 1.44% decline, trading at a volume of $0.49 billion—a 27.23% drop from the previous day’s activity—ranking 174th in market volume. The stock’s recent performance reflects mixed signals from market leadership indicators and earnings momentum.

The company’s Relative Strength (RS) Rating improved to 81 from 78, signaling enhanced market leadership over the past 52 weeks. This upgrade positions HCA among the top-performing stocks in its sector, though it has moved beyond a defined buy zone following a 5% price surge past $391.00. Analysts note the stock may require a pullback to key technical levels, such as the 50-day or 10-week moving average, to reestablish a favorable entry point.

HCA’s latest quarterly report highlighted 24% year-over-year earnings per share (EPS) growth and a 6% revenue increase. The stock currently holds the third position in the Medical-Hospitals industry, trailing only Tenet Healthcare. However, its recent consolidation phase and elevated valuation suggest caution for investors seeking immediate entry opportunities.

A backtest of a strategy purchasing the top 500 stocks by daily volume and holding them for one day from 2022 to 2025 yielded a 6.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). The approach experienced a maximum drawdown of 15.59%, with a notable decline in mid-2023 underscoring the need for risk mitigation even in volume-driven strategies.