National HealthCare Corp. executives have run the numbers on last week's broad legal settlement with two nonprofits. The operator of nursing homes will pay more than $6.6 million to the receiver for ElderTrust and SeniorTrust and its final tab comes to $4 million pre-tax, $2.5 million after taxes.

Cantor Fitzgerald hospital analyst Joe France has become the latest follower of HCA Holdings to give a big lift to his price target. France on Tuesday told clients he sees shares of the Nashville-based hospital giant climbing to $45, up from his previous target of $35. HCA shares (Ticker: HCA) closed Tuesday's trading at $37.50.

Analysts at Barclays Capital have launched coverage of various health care providers and real estate investment trusts with mostly equalweight ratings. Among the companies they suggest investors accumulate is nursing home operator Brookdale Senior Living. They see shares of the company climbing to $31 from their current levels of around $27 (Ticker: BKD).