HCA, Nashville, said it expects to report much-improved first-quarter profits compared with 2008’s first quarter, thanks to higher outpatient volume and better expense control.
The company, which will report its first-quarter results on April 27, expects pre-tax income of about $600 million to $650 million for the quarter, compared to $344 million in the year-ago quarter. It expects to report that same-facility admissions declined 0.9%, but same-facility equivalent admissions increased 1.9%. Revenue is expected to be between $7.4 billion and $7.45 billion, up from $7.27 billion a year ago.
HCA also announced that it plans to offer $500 million in 10-year, senior secured notes. The net proceeds from the offering will go to repay term loans the company has due in 2012 and 2013.
