Federal Inquiry Sends Nashville-Based Columbia/HCA Stock Tumbling 10 Percent.(Originated from St. Petersburg Times, Fla.)

Apr. 1--Shares in Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp., the target of a federal investigation, dropped 10 percent Monday, closing at $33.621/2, down $3.871/2.

Columbia/HCA was the most actively traded stock on the NYSE, with nearly 13.6 million shares changing hands. At one point during the day, the stock dropped to $29.871/2, its lowest price since July 1995.

The Nashville-based company's stock also was downgraded Monday by Goldman, Sachs & Co. and PaineWebber Inc.

The largest hospital chain in the nation, Columbia/HCA is a major player in the Tampa Bay area with 11 hospitals, 10 surgery centers and 37 home health-care agencies.

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