NOTE 5 — EARNINGS PER SHARE

We compute basic earnings per share using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. We compute diluted earnings per share using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of outstanding SARs, RSUs and PSUs, computed using the treasury stock method. During 2025, 2024 and 2023, we repurchased 26.739 million shares, 17.798 million shares and 14.465 million shares, respectively, of our common stock.

The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 (dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.

 

$

6,784

 

 

$

5,760

 

 

$

5,242

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

236.413

 

 

 

258.603

 

 

 

272.404

 

Effect of dilutive incremental shares

 

 

3.082

 

 

 

3.203

 

 

 

4.008

 

Shares used for diluted earnings per share

 

 

239.495

 

 

 

261.806

 

 

 

276.412

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

28.70

 

 

$

22.27

 

 

$

19.25

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

28.33

 

 

$

22.00

 

 

$

18.97

 

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 10, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 14, 2025
2023Feb 16, 2024
2022Feb 17, 2023
2021Feb 18, 2022
2020Feb 19, 2021
2019Feb 20, 2020
2018Feb 21, 2019
2017Feb 23, 2018
2016Feb 22, 2017
2015Feb 26, 2016

About Earnings Per Share Disclosures

The earnings per share disclosure breaks down the calculation from net income to both basic and diluted EPS, revealing the full impact of a company's capital structure on per-share economics. The reconciliation between basic and diluted share counts exposes how many stock options, RSUs, convertible securities, and warrants are potentially dilutive to existing shareholders.

Key signals: a widening gap between basic and diluted shares indicates growing dilution from equity compensation or convertible instruments. Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the diluted calculation deserve attention — they represent latent dilution that will materialize if the stock price rises. Watch for the effect of share buybacks on per-share metrics: EPS growth driven primarily by repurchases rather than income growth signals weakening fundamentals. Compare year-over-year changes in the diluted share count against equity compensation expense to assess whether management is effectively managing dilution.