Ardent Health Posts $81 Million Operating Income in Q3
Ardent Health reported operating income of $81 million (5% operating margin) for the third quarter, reversing an operating loss of $2.2 million a year earlier, according to its Nov. 4 financial report. Total revenue rose 3.1% year over year to $1.6 billion, driven by a 2.9% increase in adjusted admissions, while total operating expenses fell 2.2% to $1.5 billion. The system raised its full-year 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance to $500 million to $535 million and reaffirmed revenue guidance of $6.4 billion to $6.7 billion. Ardent also signed a definitive agreement to transfer full ownership of its St. Francis Campus in Topeka, Kan., to joint venture partner The University of Kansas Health System, which CEO Dave Caspers said would help redeploy capital toward growth in core markets. Net income was $44.5 million, compared to a net loss of $23.5 million in the prior-year quarter.