LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / July 25, 2017 / Pro-Trader Daily takes a look at the latest corporate events and news making the headlines for HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE: HCA) ("HCA"), following which we have published a free report that can be viewed by signing up at http://protraderdaily.com/optin/?symbol=HCA. The Company, which is a leading provider of healthcare services in the US, announced on July 21, 2017, that it has entered into an agreement to buy Highlands Regional Medical Center in Sebring, Florida, from subsidiaries of Community Health Systems Inc. (NYSE: CYH). For immediate access to our complimentary reports, including today's coverage, register for free now at:

http://protraderdaily.com/register/

At Pro-TD, we make it our mission to bring you news that matter about the stock you follow. Today, our research desk covers a blog story on HCA and CYH. Go directly to your stock of interest and access today's free coverage at:

http://protraderdaily.com/optin/?symbol=HCA

http://protraderdaily.com/optin/?symbol=CYH

Extension of HCA's East Florida Network

After the transaction is completed, Highlands Regional Medical Center, which is a 126-bed hospital 75 miles west of Fort Pierce, will become a part of HCA's East Florida Division. Sam Hazen, President and Chief Operating Officer of HCA, announced that the addition of Highlands Regional to HCA's East Florida network of hospitals would enable HCA to care for more people and complement its existing facilities in the region. He also said that he was looking forward to extend Highlands Regional's established practice of providing high-quality care.

HCA East Florida is the largest healthcare system in eastern Florida. It covers around 14 hospitals, multiple ambulatory surgery centers, physician practices, imaging centers, and free standing emergency care facilities, as well as a supply chain center and an integrated regional lab. HCA East Florida employs approximately 15,000 employees and has around 5,000 physicians as staff.

HCA Also Acquired Texas Hospital from Community Health Systems

Previously, HCA entered into an agreement to acquire Weatherford Regional Medical Center outside Fort Worth, Texas, from subsidiaries of Community Health Systems on July 11, 2017. As a part, this agreement, Weatherford Regional Medical Center, a 103-bed hospital about 30 miles west of Fort Worth, would become part of HCA's Medical City Healthcare in the Dallas-Fort Worth's Metroplex. The addition of Weatherford Regional Medical Center will help HCA improve patients' overall medical access in the Fort Worth area.

Transactions to Close in End of 2017

Currently, both the transactions are subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. These are expected to close in the fall of 2017.

Part of Community Health Systems' Planned Divestiture Program

A high level of long-term debt has long been an area of concern for Community Health Systems. To overcome its debt level, the Company has implemented portfolio rationalization and deleveraging strategies. One of its strategies is to divest hospitals and non-hospital businesses that neither belongs to the Company's strategically beneficial service areas nor are complementary to its business strategy due to lower operating margins. These divestitures have helped the Company control its debt level, and thus boost investor confidence.

In fact, the sale of Highlands Regional Medical Center and Weatherford Regional Medical Center is part of Community Health Systems' 30 planned hospital divestitures, which the Company announced in its first quarter 2017 earnings call.

About HCA Healthcare Inc.

HCA Healthcare operates 174 hospitals, 119 freestanding surgery centers, and numerous other outpatient centers in 20 states in the US and the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1968 and since then it has created a new model for hospital care in the United States, using combined resources to strengthen hospitals, deliver patient-focused care, and improve the practice of medicine. HCA is also known as a learning healthcare system that uses its 27 million annual patient-encounters to advance science, improve patient care, and save lives.

About Community Health Systems Inc.

Community Health Systems Inc. is one of the largest publicly traded hospital companies in the United States and a leading operator of general acute care hospitals in communities across the country. The Company, through its subsidiaries, owns, leases, or operates 137 affiliated hospitals in 21 states with an aggregate of about 22,000 licensed beds. Its headquarters are located in Franklin, Tennessee, which is a suburb south of Nashville.

Last Close Stock Review

At the closing bell, on Monday, July 24, 2017, HCA Healthcare's stock rose slightly by 0.42%, ending the trading session at $86.09. A total volume of 2.53 million shares has exchanged hands, which was higher than the 3-month average volume of 1.77 million shares. The Company's stock price advanced 2.17% in the last three months, 7.83% in the past six months, and 7.14% in the previous twelve months. Moreover, the stock surged 16.31% since the start of the year. The stock is trading at a PE ratio of 11.69 and currently, has a market cap of $31.60 billion.

On Monday, July 24, 2017, the stock closed the trading session at $9.68, rising 4.42% from its previous closing price of $9.27. A total volume of 3.59 million shares has exchanged hands, which was higher than the 3-month average volume of 2.77 million shares. Community Health Systems' stock price soared 4.42% in the last one month, 14.56% in the past three months, and 50.54% in the previous six months. Furthermore, since the start of the year, shares of the Company skyrocketed 73.17%. The stock currently has a market cap of $1.11 billion.

Pro-Trader Daily:

Pro-Trader Daily (Pro-TD) produces regular sponsored and non-sponsored reports, articles, stock market blogs, and popular investment newsletters covering equities listed on NYSE and NASDAQ and Canadian stocks. PRO-TD has two distinct and independent departments. One department produces non-sponsored analyst certified content generally in the form of press releases, articles and reports covering equities listed on NYSE and NASDAQ and the other produces sponsored content (in most cases not reviewed by a registered analyst), which typically consists of compensated investment newsletters, articles, and reports covering listed stocks and micro-caps. Such sponsored content is outside the scope of procedures detailed below.

PRO-TD has not been compensated; directly or indirectly; for producing or publishing this document.

PRESS RELEASE PROCEDURES:

The non-sponsored content contained herein has been prepared by a writer (the "Author") and is fact checked and reviewed by a third party research service company (the "Reviewer") represented by a credentialed financial analyst [for further information on analyst credentials, please email contact@protraderdaily.com. Rohit Tuli, a CFA® charter holder (the "Sponsor"), provides necessary guidance in preparing the document templates. The Reviewer has reviewed and revised the content, as necessary, based on publicly available information which is believed to be reliable. Content is researched, written and reviewed on a reasonable effort basis. The Reviewer has not performed any independent investigations or forensic audits to validate the information herein. The Reviewer has only independently reviewed the information provided by the Author according to the procedures outlined by PRO-TD. PRO-TD is not entitled to veto or interfere in the application of such procedures by the third-party research service company to the articles, documents or reports, as the case may be. Unless otherwise noted, any content outside of this document has no association with the Author or the Reviewer in any way.

NO WARRANTY

PRO-TD, the Author, and the Reviewer are not responsible for any error which may be occasioned at the time of printing of this document or any error, mistake or shortcoming. No liability is accepted whatsoever for any direct, indirect or consequential loss arising from the use of this document. PRO-TD, the Author, and the Reviewer expressly disclaim any fiduciary responsibility or liability for any consequences, financial or otherwise arising from any reliance placed on the information in this document. Additionally, PRO-TD, the Author, and the Reviewer do not (1) guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness or correct sequencing of the information, or (2) warrant any results from use of the information. The included information is subject to change without notice.

NOT AN OFFERING

This document is not intended as an offering, recommendation, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned or discussed, and is to be used for informational purposes only. Please read all associated disclosures and disclaimers in full before investing. Neither PRO-TD nor any party affiliated with us is a registered investment adviser or broker-dealer with any agency or in any jurisdiction whatsoever. To download our report(s), read our disclosures, or for more information, visit http://protraderdaily.com/disclaimer/.

CONTACT

For any questions, inquiries, or comments reach out to us directly. If you're a company we are covering and wish to no longer feature on our coverage list contact us via email and/or phone between 09:30 EDT to 16:00 EDT from Monday to Friday at:

Email: contact@protraderdaily.com

Phone number: (917) 341.4653

Office Address: Mainzer Landstrasse 50 Frankfurt am Main, Germany 60325

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Inst

SOURCE: Pro-Trader Daily