Bull case
DVA would need investors to value it at roughly 26x earnings — about 12x more generous than today's 14x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Three scenarios for where DVA stock could go
DVA would need investors to value it at roughly 26x earnings — about 12x more generous than today's 14x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 20x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
If investor confidence fades or macro conditions deteriorate, a 0x multiple contraction could push DVA down roughly 3% from where it trades now.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

DaVita is a leading provider of kidney dialysis services for patients with chronic kidney failure. It generates revenue primarily from operating outpatient dialysis centers — which provide the bulk of its income — along with related lab services, home-based dialysis, and integrated care arrangements. The company's scale and network of over 2,800 U.S. centers create significant barriers to entry and operational efficiencies in a capital-intensive, regulated healthcare segment.
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $2.95/$2.70 | +9.3% | $3.4B/$3.4B | -1.8% |
| Q4 2025 | $2.51/$3.17 | -20.8% | $3.4B/$3.4B | -0.2% |
| Q1 2026 | $3.40/$3.24 | +4.9% | $3.6B/$3.5B | +3.2% |
| Q2 2026 | $2.87/$2.33 | +23.2% | $3.4B/$3.4B | +1.8% |
DVA beat EPS estimates in 3 of 4 tracked quarters. A strong delivery record supports forward estimate credibility.
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Latest annual revenue by reported region
Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Fair value est. $227 — implies +49.4% from today's price.
| Metric | DVA | S&P 500 | Healthcare | 5Y Avg DVA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 13.7x | 19.1x-28% | 19.0x-28% | — |
| Trailing PE | 20.4x | 25.2x-19% | 22.1x | 13.2x+55% |
| PEG Ratio | 2.46x | 1.75x+41% | 1.52x+62% | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 9.9x | 15.3x-35% | 14.1x-30% | 9.0x+10% |
| Price/FCF | 9.8x | 21.3x-54% | 18.7x-48% | 8.0x+21% |
| Price/Sales | 0.9x | 3.1x-70% | 2.8x-67% | 0.8x+10% |
| Dividend Yield | — | 1.88% | 1.40% | — |
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolDVA generates $1.5B in free cash flow at a 10.8% margin — 10.5% ROIC signals a durable competitive advantage · returns 14.0% of market cap to shareholders annually.
Revenue, margins, and cash generation
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
~9.6 years to full repayment at current FCF run-rate
* Elevated by buyback-compressed equity — compare ROIC (10.5%) for an undistorted picture of capital efficiency.
How capital is returned to owners
All figures from the trailing twelve months. ROIC uses invested capital (equity + net debt). ROE marked * where buyback-compressed equity base may inflate the figure.
Open full ratios pageKey factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
Approximately two-thirds of DaVita's U.S. sales are derived from Medicare reimbursement rates. Any changes or cuts to these rates pose a substantial risk to the company's revenue and profitability.
DaVita's profits are disproportionately driven by commercial insurers, who represent only 10% of patients treated. This creates a challenging environment that can hinder the company's ability to sustain profit margins.
DaVita's reliance on debt makes it susceptible to changes in interest rates and its ability to service its debt obligations. This financial structure increases the risk of financial distress.
DaVita has experienced year-over-year drops in its core performance indicators, even with share repurchases. This volatility complicates the forecasting of future earnings and may deter investors.
As a highly regulated business, DaVita is vulnerable to changes in healthcare policy, reimbursement rates, and evolving standards of care in the kidney treatment landscape. Such changes can significantly impact the company's financial health.
Ongoing cost inflation can negatively affect DaVita's profit margins. Rising operational costs may lead to reduced profitability if not managed effectively.
DaVita faces competition from other large dialysis providers, hospital systems, and emerging home-based care models. This competitive landscape can pressure its service offerings and patient retention.
The company is experiencing a slowdown in its organic growth trends. This deceleration may impact its long-term growth prospects and investor sentiment.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
For the first time in nearly five years, the death rate for the 85+ age group has declined, indicating a potential turning point. This trend suggests improved organic volume growth in dialysis treatments, which could lead to sustained earnings growth and a more resilient patient population post-pandemic.
DaVita commands a dominant position in the U.S. dialysis market with a 35% market share and over 3,000 facilities globally. This strong presence, supported by significant financial backing from Berkshire Hathaway, which owns approximately 45% of the company, enhances its financial stability.
DaVita's Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio is considered attractive compared to the broader healthcare industry and its peers. Analysts suggest that the stock is trading significantly below its future cash flow value, indicating potential undervaluation.
The company is investing in technology and AI, alongside its Integrated Kidney Care (IKC) segment, to drive higher margins and free cash flow. Although IKC's growth has been modest, it has shown improved performance in value-based contracts.
Despite challenges such as reimbursement pressures, the bull case suggests that these factors may be offset by the potential for renewed volume growth driven by strategic initiatives. This could lead to significant upside for the stock as the company navigates the evolving healthcare landscape.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DVA DVA DaVita Inc. | $12.8B | 13.7x | +4.9% | 5.6% | Hold | -13.0% |
FMS FMS Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA | $11.7B | 10.2x | +1.1% | 5.0% | Hold | +33.3% |
FXN FXNC First National Corporation | $249M | 11.6x | +20.8% | — | Buy | -23.6% |
UNH UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated | $333.4B | 20.1x | +3.2% | 2.7% | Buy | +4.9% |
HUM HUM Humana Inc. | $29.6B | 27.6x | +14.8% | 0.8% | Hold | -0.1% |
CNC CNC Centene Corporation | $27.3B | 16.4x | +7.6% | -3.3% | Buy | -7.8% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
DVA returns 14.0% annually — null% through dividends and 14.0% through buybacks.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
DaVita Inc. (DVA) is rated Hold by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 23 analysts covering the stock, 8 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 14 rate it Hold, and 1 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $169, implying -13.0% from the current price of $194. The bear case scenario is $187 and the bull case is $371.
The Wall Street consensus price target for DVA is $169 based on 23 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $190 (-2.0% from today), and the low-end target is $158 (-18.5%). The base case model target is $282.
DVA trades at 13.7x times forward earnings. The stock currently trades at a discount to the broader market. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals significantly undervalued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
The primary risks for DVA in 2026 are: (1) Medicare Reimbursement Dependence — Approximately two-thirds of DaVita's U. (2) Unfavorable Payer Mix — DaVita's profits are disproportionately driven by commercial insurers, who represent only 10% of patients treated. (3) High Leverage — DaVita's reliance on debt makes it susceptible to changes in interest rates and its ability to service its debt obligations. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates DVA will report consensus revenue of $14.5B (+4.9% year-over-year) and EPS of $12.87 for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $15.3B in revenue.
DaVita Inc. is expected to report its next earnings on approximately 2026-05-11. Consensus expects EPS of $2.33 and revenue of $3.4B. Over recent quarters, DVA has beaten EPS estimates 75% of the time.
DaVita Inc. (DVA) generated $1.5B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 10.8%. DVA returns capital to shareholders through and share repurchases ($1.8B TTM).