Five Healthcare Stocks Hedge Funds Like

Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD)

– Number of Hedge Funds Having Long Positions (as of June 30): 85

– Aggregate Value of Hedge Funds’ Holdings (as of June 30): $3.13 billion

It’s been a tough year for Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD), with its stock going down as much as 20% year-to-date, but analysts think that the company’s potential in Hepatitis C market makes it a strong candidate for a comeback in the near future. Moreover, sales of HIV drugs grew by double digits in the last quarter. Back in June, FDA approved Epclusa, Gilead’s Hepatitis C treatment drug. The company reported second quarter EPS of $3.08 on $7.78 billion in revenue, versus the consensus estimates of $3.02 and $7.79 billion, respectively. Last week, Gilead’s treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension was granted orphan drug status by the FDA.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)

– Number of Hedge Funds Having Long Positions (as of June 30): 82

– Aggregate Value of Hedge Funds’ Holdings (as of June 30): $5.58 billion

Of the total number of funds tracked by us, 82 funds held shares of the New Jersey-based healthcare conglomerate Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), compared to 77 funds a quarter earlier. The company earned $1.74 a share in the second quarter, above the estimates of $1.68. For the full year, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) expects EPS of $6.63-$6.73, versus the consensus of $6.61. The stock is up over 15% year-to-date. At the end of the second quarter, Ken Fisher’s Fisher Asset Management had 10.84 million shares of Johnson & Johnson.

Biogen Inc (NASDAQ:BIIB)

– Number of Hedge Funds Having Long Positions (as of June 30): 73

– Aggregate Value of Hedge Funds’ Holdings (as of June 30): $4.04 million

Biogen Inc (NASDAQ:BIIB) was liked by hedge funds during the second quarter. A total of 73 investors tracked by Insider Monkey held $4.04 million worth of Biogen’s stock at the end of the second quarter, up from 64 funds a quarter earlier. The company plans to spin off its hemophilia drug business next year.  Biogen Inc (NASDAQ:BIIB)’s stock has been rallying recently on the back of rumors suggesting a possible from companies like Merck & Co. and Allergan.

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