12 Best Healthcare Stocks to Buy for 2026

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9. AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

1-Year Gain: 29.97%

Upside Potential: 15.29%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 54

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)is one of the best healthcare stocks to buy for 2026. On January 29, AstraZeneca announced a $15 billion investment in China through 2030 to expand manufacturing and R&D, strengthening capabilities in cell therapy and radioconjugates while deepening China-UK healthcare collaborations.

The investment, unveiled during UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit, will enhance AstraZeneca’s pipeline across cancer, autoimmune, and hematological diseases, build on its acquisition of Gracell Biotechnologies, and grow its workforce in China beyond 20,000. With expanded facilities in Wuxi, Taizhou, Qingdao, and Beijing, plus new sites to come, AstraZeneca aims to deliver next-generation treatments globally while advancing partnerships with leading universities and biotechs in both countries.

Earlier on January 14, Guggenheim reiterated a Buy rating on AstraZeneca PLC in anticipation of impressive fourth-quarter and 2025 financial results. The research firm expects the company to deliver top- and bottom-line results in line with estimates, affirming a strong year of commercial execution. Expectations are high for high single-digit revenue growth, at about $58.5 billion. Similarly, the company is expected to deliver double-digit EPS growth, reaching $9.15 a share.

AstraZeneca is expected to guide for mid-single-digit revenue growth, topping consensus estimates, and project low double-digit earnings growth versus forecasts of 10–12%. Confidence in its 2030 outlook is rising as the company advances its pipeline to offset upcoming patent expirations for Imfinzi and Tagrisso, with investors watching closely for updates on oral GLP-1 candidate AZD5004, amylin AZD6234, and Wainua in ATTR-CM to strengthen its cardiovascular and metabolic portfolio.

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing, and selling prescription medicines for serious diseases, primarily in oncology (cancer), cardiovascular, renal & metabolism, and respiratory & immunology.

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