Hospital stocks cooled off a bit heading into May after a big surge two weeks ago.
During the week of April 21-25, shares of for-profit hospital operators soared due to optimism surrounding the healthcare reform law. Each of the big five went up at least 9 percent, and Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare Corp. gained the most at 16 percent.
However, last week, shares of the hospital chains either remained mostly flat or decreased. Nashville, Tenn.-based Hospital Corporation of America's shares fell 2.92 percent, the most of any hospital company. King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services gained a meager 0.58 percent, the most of the big five.
Only two of the publicly traded hospital companies still have to post first-quarter financials: Tenet and Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems, both of which will do so Tuesday.
• Community Health Systems (Franklin, Tenn.): $39.47 per share (down 1.13 percent)
• Hospital Corporation of America (Nashville, Tenn.): $51.88 per share (down 2.92 percent)
• LifePoint Hospitals (Brentwood, Tenn.): $56.88 per share (up 0.02 percent)
• Tenet Healthcare Corp. (Dallas): $45.41 per share (down 1.54 percent)
• Universal Health Services (King of Prussia, Pa.): $83.40 per share (up 0.58 percent)
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