Reuters preview flagged Medicaid and exchange headwinds ahead of earnings

Event date: 2026-10-26. Before Q3 results, analysts expected EPS of $6.65 and revenue of $19.33B; HCA shares closed Friday at $469.03 versus a $461.81 consensus target from 26 analysts. BMO’s Sean Dodge had an Outperform/$495 target; he cited about $520M in nonrecurring Florida provider payments rolling off, exchange headwinds and Medicaid work requirements beginning January 2027.