Jan 24 (Reuters) - HCA Healthcare ( HCA ) on Friday

forecast 2025 profit above estimates, expecting elevated demand

for medical procedures and lower costs.

The company forecast 2025 profit to range from $24.05

per share to $25.85 per share, compared to analysts' average

estimate of $24.51 per share.

The hospital operator is recovering from the impact of

postponed procedures due to hurricanes Helene and Milton that

hit some of its facilities in Florida, Georgia and North

Carolina in September.

During the fourth quarter, the company incurred

additional expenses and lost about $200 million in revenue as

its hospitals and outpatient facilities were affected by

Hurricanes Helene and Milton, leading to delays in medical

procedures.

The hospital operator earned a profit of $5.63 per

share, which includes a 60-cent unfavorable impact from the

natural disasters.