HCA Healthcare Slides as It Braces for Insurance Losses (1)

HCA Healthcare Inc. tumbled Friday after it opted against raising its yearly profit and sales guidance even though first quarter profit beat analysts’ views, meaning it could foresee challenges later in the year.

The hospital operator reaffirmed its yearly adjusted earnings forecast of $29.10 to $31.50 a share. It reported first-quarter adjusted earnings of $7.15 a share, compared to the average analyst estimate of $7.10 a share. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization missed estimates.

HCA said admissions during the first three months of the year were lower than expected, primarily due to a large decline in the ...