HCA up 91 percent in 1Q

HCA Holdings Inc.'s (NYSE: HCA) earnings increased 91.3 percent in the first quarter. Earnings were $639 million, or $1.18 cents per share, on revenue of $8.4 billion. Analysts, on average, had estimated earnings of 94 cents per share on revenue of $8.77 billion, according to Thomson Reuters. Richard Bracken, CEO and chairman of the board at HCA, said revenue growth was driven primarily by increased volume, two adjustments related to Medicare revenue for prior periods, and financial consolidation of its HealthONE venture.