Altru Health's margin falls to -3% amid CommonSpirit hospital deal
Altru Health System reported a $18.2 million operating loss and -3% operating margin for the first nine months of 2026, compared with a $1.7 million loss and -0.3% margin in the same 2025 period, per financial statements published Nov. 2. Revenue rose 8.3% to $610.4 million, but expenses climbed 11.2% to $628.6 million, driven by salaries and benefits, purchased services and professional fees, and supplies and pharmaceutical costs. Net income was $2.8 million, down from $32.6 million a year earlier, bolstered by $20.9 million in nonoperating and investment income. On Nov. 4, CommonSpirit Health signed a definitive agreement to sell three North Dakota hospitals, CHI St. Alexius Health in Bismarck, Turtle Lake, and Garrison, to Altru, with closing expected in early 2027, following a January letter of intent and Altru's March 1 acquisition of CHI St. Alexius Health Devils Lake.