Same facility admissions increased 6.2 percent while same facility equivalent admissions increased 5.2 percent in the first quarter of 2024, compared to the prior year period. Same facility emergency room visits increased 7.2 percent in the first quarter of 2024, compared to the prior year period. Same facility inpatient surgeries increased 1.7 percent, and same facility outpatient surgeries declined 2.1 percent in the first quarter of 2024, compared to the same period of 2023. Same facility revenue per equivalent admission increased 3.5 percent in the first quarter of 2024, compared to the first quarter of 2023.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flows from Operations
As of March 31, 2024, HCA Healthcare, Inc.’s balance sheet reflected cash and cash equivalents of $1.284 billion, total debt of $40.191 billion, and total assets of $56.962 billion. During the first quarter of 2024, capital expenditures totaled $1.118 billion, excluding acquisitions. Cash flows provided by operating activities in the first quarter of 2024 totaled $2.469 billion, compared to $1.803 billion in the first quarter of 2023.
During the first quarter of 2024, the Company repurchased 3.894 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $1.180 billion. The Company had $5.595 billion remaining under its repurchase authorization as of March 31, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had $7.987 billion of availability under its credit facilities.
Dividend
HCA today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.66 per share on the Company’s common stock. The dividend will be paid on June 28, 2024 to stockholders of record at the close of business on June 14, 2024.
The declaration and payment of any future dividend will be subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and contractual restrictions. Future dividends are expected to be funded by cash balances and future cash flows from operations.
2024 Guidance
Today, the Company reaffirmed its 2024 estimated guidance ranges issued on January 30, 2024.
The Company’s 2024 guidance contains a number of assumptions, including, among others, the Company’s current expectations regarding patient volumes and payor mix as well as general economic conditions, including inflation, and excludes the impact of items such as, but not limited to, gains or losses on sales of facilities, losses on retirement of debt, legal claims costs and impairment of long-lived assets.
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. A table reconciling forecasted net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc. to forecasted Adjusted EBITDA is included in this release.
The Company’s guidance is based on current plans and expectations and is subject to a number of known and unknown uncertainties and risks, including those set forth below in the Company’s “Forward-Looking Statements.”
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