- Hospital operators are in the red in early trading despite HCA Holdings' (HCA +0.4%) Q4 beat and positive 2018 guidance.
- The industry group has typically moved in lock-step with the political gyrations in Washington related to Republicans' efforts to change/repeal/replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In last night's State of the Union Address, President Trump only briefly mentioned the ACA stating that "the individual mandate in now gone" but this is old news since the elimination of the mandate was part of the GOP's tax overhaul.
- Selected tickers: (CYH -1.2%)(LPNT -1.9%)(HLTH +3.3%)(QHC -2.2%)(SEM -0.8%)(THC -1.9%)(UHS -1.5%)
- Previously: HCA Holdings Q4 revenues up 9%; provides 2018 guidance; shares ahead 8% premarket (Jan. 30)