10:31 AM EDT, 10/25/2024 (MT Newswires) -- HCA Healthcare's ( HCA ) third-quarter results missed Wall Street estimates as Hurricane Helene impacted some of its facilities, while the hospital operator expects a further hurricane-related hit in the ongoing three-month period.

The company reported adjusted earnings of $4.90 a share for the quarter ended Sept. 30, up from $3.91 the year before, but missed the Capital IQ-polled consensus of $4.98. Revenue increased to $17.49 billion from $16.21 billion, but was below the Street's view for $17.53 billion. The stock dropped 8.5% in Friday trade.

During the three-month period, HCA Healthcare ( HCA ) said it incurred expenses and a revenue loss estimated at $50 million, or $0.15 a share, as Helene impacted certain of its facilities in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. Helene made landfall in Florida late in September.

Same facility admissions advanced by 4.5% and emergency room visits rose 4.6% versus the prior-year period. Same facility inpatient surgeries moved 1.6% higher, while outpatient surgeries declined 2%, according to the company.

For the ongoing quarter, the company forecasts additional expenses and loss of revenue of about $200 million to $300 million, or $0.60 to $0.90 a share, from Helene and Hurricane Milton, which impacted certain facilities in Florida during this month.

The company affirmed its per-share earnings outlook of $21.60 to $22.80 and revenue guidance of $69.75 billion to $71.75 billion for 2024, but now sees results in the lower half of the ranges due to the impact of the two hurricanes. The Street's estimate is for GAAP EPS of $22.68 and revenue of $70.91 billion.

"While the company anticipates some ongoing impact in 2025 from Hurricane Helene on its North Carolina facilities, the company believes these ongoing effects will be manageable," HCA said. It currently expects EPS and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization growth for next year to be "near, or slightly above," the upper end of its long-term growth ranges.

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