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Hca Case Essay

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Hospital Corporation of America (HCA)
Staff Analysis

Statement of Problem

HCA, after following a conservative financial policy since its establishment, has entered the new decade preparing to make some changes in order to realign their financial strategy and capital structure. Since establishment, HCA has often been used as a measure for the entire proprietary hospital industry. Is it now time for the market to realign their expectations for the industry as a whole? HCA has target goals which need to be met in order to accomplish milestones in the future. The problem arises as to which area holds priority to the company. HCA must decide how the key components of their financial strategy and policy should my approached in order …show more content…

If HCA chooses to remain at the current debt ratio take on a lower rating, suspicion might arise among investors. In both cases opportunities exist as well as consequences. The advantages and disadvantages are outlined in Scenario 1 - 3.

Alternative Solutions (Case Exhibit 1)
Scenario 1 – Maintain Current Debt Ratio

This alternative allows HCA to remain at the higher debt ratio and meet both targets for
ROE and the growth rate.
Debt = 69%
ROE = 17.6%
G = 15%

This would also indicate that HCA receives a lower rating. This could prove to be good and bad. In some instances, companies with lower ratings experience a rise in their cost of debt or loss access to the debt market. When Du Pont lost their AAA rating they did not experience any dramatic changes. With the growth rate at 15%, HCA has an opportunity to increase in the future. An ROE of 17.6% signifies efficiency and provides evidence that the company is heading in the right direction.
Scenario 2 – Decrease Debt Ratio at all costs

If HCA decreases their debt ratio to 60%, they will retain their A bond rating in exchange for a decline in their ROE (below target) and growth rate.
Debt = 60%
ROE = 15.5%
G = 13%

If maintaining the A rating is HCA's main goal then this is the correct decision, but if HCA is concerned about their growth and what a declining ROE would signal to the

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