In this article, we will be taking a look at the 12 Best Performing Healthcare Stocks to Buy Right Now.
Spending on healthcare in the US is predicted to hit $5.3 trillion this year, making it one of the largest in the world. Although it is frequently thought of as a defensive industry that fared better in unpredictable times, that has not been the case. Despite the general equities market’s 12% gain so far this year and its rise to record highs, the sector is down roughly 1% for the year.
Over the last three years, the healthcare industry has produced mediocre returns for investors. In 2022, the industry fell 3.6%, but in 2023 and 2024, it increased by 0.3% and 0.9%, respectively. In 2025, the modest gains have persisted, with the healthcare sector being one of four S&P 500 sectors seeing negative returns.
The Trump administration’s actions are the main cause of the 2025 underperformance. Pressure for reduced drug pricing has been a problem for healthcare organizations, and tariffs on pharmaceuticals have made matters worse. The problem has been made worse by cuts to programs like Medicaid and health research.
“You have got this constant overarching political and regulatory overhang that doesn’t really seem to subside with any administration,” said Jared Holz, healthcare sector strategist at Mizuho Securities. “When you have so much nebulousness around the sector, it turns people off rather than invites them to the party.”
Despite the poor performance, the long-term outlook remains favorable. This is because the industry produces goods and services that are necessary for human survival. Similarly, the majority of equities are now trading at steep discounts due to the underperformance.
“Our perspective is a lot of this bad news is priced in and then some,” said Patrick Kaser, portfolio manager at Brandywine Global. “To bet against the sector from here, you’re essentially continuing to bet on the valuation gap, which is already large, continuing to widen.”
With these trends in mind, let’s take a look at the best-performing healthcare stocks to buy right now.
Our Methodology
For our methodology, we first screened healthcare stocks using the Stock Analysis screener, selecting those with year-to-date (YTD) returns of 20% or more. From this pool, we identified the 12 stocks with the highest YTD returns. The final ranking was then determined based on the number of hedge fund holders in each stock, arranged in ascending order as of Q2 2025, according to data from the Insider Monkey database.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
Here is our list of the 12 best-performing healthcare stocks to buy right now.
12. Celcuity Inc. (NASDAQ:CELC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 15
Celcuity Inc. (NASDAQ:CELC) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing targeted oncology therapies, with a focus on solid tumors such as advanced breast cancer. Its lead drug candidate, gedatolisib, targets the PI3K and mTOR pathways, key drivers of tumor growth and resistance, aiming to improve outcomes for patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative advanced breast cancer. CELC stands twelfth on our list among the best performing stocks.
In August 2025, the U.S. FDA accepted CELC’s New Drug Application (NDA) for gedatolisib under the Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) program, allowing for a faster and more efficient regulatory process. The firm began its rolling submission in September and expects to complete it in the fourth quarter of 2025. This milestone follows strong Phase 3 VIKTORIA-1 trial results, which showed that gedatolisib significantly reduced disease progression risk and improved progression-free survival in the PIK3CA wild-type cohort. The therapy also holds Breakthrough Therapy and Fast Track designations, highlighting its potential to address unmet needs in patients who no longer respond to CDK4/6 inhibitors.
To support its late-stage development and prepare for commercialization, Celcuity Inc. (NASDAQ:CELC) recently expanded its senior secured credit facility to $500 million. The additional capital strengthens the company’s financial position, reduces liquidity concerns, and ensures resources are in place as it advances toward potential FDA approval and market launch.
11. ABIVAX Société Anonyme (NASDAQ:ABVX)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 17
ABIVAX Société Anonyme (NASDAQ:ABVX) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies to regulate immune responses in chronic inflammatory diseases. Its lead candidate, obefazimod (ABX464), is an oral miR-124 enhancer currently in Phase 3 trials for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Phase 2b trials for Crohn’s disease.
In September 2025, ABVX announced it would present late-breaking data from the ABTECT Phase 3 induction trials at the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Congress in Berlin on October 6. The presentation will highlight eight-week efficacy results of obefazimod, including outcomes in patients who previously did not respond to advanced therapies. Alongside the congress, the business will host an investor call and a symposium on new treatment mechanisms for UC.
Earlier in July, the corporation reported positive topline data from two Phase 3 induction trials in moderate to severe UC. Results showed a pooled clinical remission rate 16.4% higher than placebo, with the 50 mg dose achieving a 19.3% placebo-adjusted remission rate. Based on ongoing maintenance studies, ABVX plans to submit U.S. and European regulatory applications in the second half of 2026.
To support these late-stage programs, ABIVAX Société Anonyme (NASDAQ:ABVX) strengthened its financial position with a $650 million (€554 million) public offering in July 2025. The funding extends the company’s cash runway into the fourth quarter of 2027, bolstering investor confidence as it advances obefazimod toward potential approval and commercialization.
10. Indivior PLC (NASDAQ:INDV)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 23
Indivior PLC (NASDAQ:INDV) is a pharmaceutical company specializing in treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD), with its core products SUBLOCADE, a once-monthly buprenorphine injection, and SUBOXONE film forming the backbone of its revenue.
In September 2025, the corporation reported strong Q2 results, with total net revenue of $302 million. SUBLOCADE sales rose 9% year-over-year to $209 million, driven by a 20% increase in U.S. volumes versus Q1 2025. The company subsequently raised its full-year 2025 revenue guidance to $1.03–$1.08 billion, up from $955 million–$1.025 billion, while adjusted EBITDA guidance increased to $275–$300 million, positioning Indivior among the best performing stocks in its sector.
These results reflect progress on the “Indivior Action Agenda,” a strategic initiative focused on expanding SUBLOCADE in the U.S. and streamlining operations to boost efficiency and cash generation. The company also consolidated its stock listing to Nasdaq in July 2025, emphasizing a U.S.-focused growth strategy. Strengthening commercial leadership, Patrick Barry joined as Chief Commercial Officer in May, bringing over 30 years of pharmaceutical experience to accelerate SUBLOCADE commercialization.
Looking ahead, Indivior PLC (NASDAQ:INDV) expects continued SUBLOCADE growth through 2026 and beyond, alongside operational improvements that enhance shareholder value. The company is progressing toward resolving litigation settlement liabilities by 2027, which will improve financial flexibility. Research and development remain active, with pipeline programs INDV-2000 and INDV-6001 targeting next-generation treatments for OUD and related conditions.
