HCA Healthcare, Inc.

(New York Stock Exchange)
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Bullish +75

2 Stocks to Buy If the Market Crashes in 2026

AI-generated analysis

πŸ“‰ Broader equities narrowly escaped a bear market in 2025, but macroeconomic concerns could lead to a recession or crash in 2026.

πŸ’Ό Investors are advised to prepare for downturns by buying companies that can survive and perform well long after the event.

πŸ₯ HCA Healthcare is highlighted as a defensive stock because healthcare demand remains stable regardless of market conditions.

πŸ›‘οΈ Microsoft is considered one of the most defensive tech stocks due to high switching costs and reliance on its products by millions.

πŸ’° Microsoft holds the highest credit rating available, even higher than that of the U.S. government, ensuring it can meet obligations during downturns.

☁️ Microsoft's leadership in cloud computing and artificial intelligence provides significant long-term growth potential despite cyclical slowdowns.

πŸ“ˆ Historical data shows investing in Microsoft during market crashes has yielded above-average returns since the 2020 bear market bottomed out.

πŸ‘΅ HCA Healthcare benefits from rising demand driven by technological breakthroughs, improved treatment outcomes, and an aging population.

πŸ’‰ A significant portion of HCA's revenue comes from third-party payers rather than direct patient payments, stabilizing financial results during recessions.

πŸ₯ HCA has grown its market share over the past 15 years through heavy investment in technology to improve patient outcomes.

πŸ“Š The Motley Fool Stock Advisor team identifies Microsoft as one of two great candidates for investors if a market crash occurs in 2026.

πŸš€ Netflix and Nvidia are cited as examples of stocks that produced monster returns after being recommended by the Stock Advisor team in previous years.

πŸ“ˆ Stock Advisor's total average return is reported at 974%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 196% return over the same period.

⚠️ The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft, while also recommending specific options on Microsoft stock.

πŸ₯ The Motley Fool also recommends HCA Healthcare as a strong buy for investors looking to weather potential market turbulence.

πŸ“… Stock Advisor returns cited in the article are as of January 9, 2026.

🀝 Prosper Junior Bakiny has no position in any of the stocks mentioned in the article.

πŸ”’ The Motley Fool adheres to a specific disclosure policy regarding its positions and recommendations.

Bullish Signals
  • HCA Healthcare can navigate market downturns effectively due to the defensive nature of its healthcare business model.
  • Demand for medical services remains stable regardless of market conditions, ensuring consistent revenue and earnings even during recessions.
  • Third-party payers, including private and government entities, cover a significant portion of costs, allowing HCA Healthcare to maintain financial stability.
  • Long-term growth is expected to be driven by technological and medical breakthroughs that enable treatment of previously untreatable diseases.
  • The aging global population will lead to increased demand for medical care and higher spending in the healthcare sector.
  • HCA Healthcare has invested heavily in acquiring best-in-class technology to improve patient outcomes, helping it grow its market share over the past 15 years.
  • The company still has plenty of growth on the horizon that is unlikely to be affected by a potential market crash.
Full Analysis
The article identifies HCA Healthcare (NYSE: HCA) as a defensive stock suitable for investors preparing for a potential market crash in 2026, alongside Microsoft. It argues that healthcare demand remains stable during economic downturns because patients continue to require medical services regardless of market conditions, and much of the revenue comes from third-party payers rather than direct patient payments. The piece highlights HCA's position as a leader in the U.S. healthcare facility network and notes its history of growth driven by technological investments and acquisitions over the past 15 years. The text outlines three long-term drivers for increased spending in the healthcare sector: medical breakthroughs that enable treatment of previously untreatable diseases, an aging global population requiring more care, and HCA's proven strategy of investing in technology to improve patient outcomes and expand market share. The author concludes that a market crash would not alter these growth prospects, making HCA a strong buy for investors seeking stability and long-term performance during bear markets.