In this article, we discuss the 11 safe healthcare stocks for a retirement stock portfolio. If you want to read about some more healthcare stocks, go directly to Retirement Stock Portfolio: 5 Safe Healthcare Stocks to Consider.
The healthcare sector is being forced to deal with new challenges related to valuation and access to capital as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes. Even as the priorities in the sector change, the healthcare industry remains one of the key drivers of growth for the United States economy with giants like Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY), and AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) contributing to a stellar valuation that is expected to increase to $1.7 trillion in value by 2030.
The healthcare industry is also one of the safest picks for a retirement stock portfolio. This is indicated by the historical performance of the sector during times of crisis. A recent Endpoint survey reveals that 66% of investors think that biotech will outperform the broader market in 2022. When viewed in context of rising rates and soaring inflation, two factors that have pummeled the market and slowed growth in recent months, these sentiments highlight the reputation of the health industry among elite investors.
Our Methodology
The companies that operate in the healthcare sector and have established business models that have demonstrated historical resilience against inflationary headwinds were selected for the list. We preferred companies that either pay strong dividends or are working on projects with long-term growth prospects. These stocks are also popular among the 920 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey as of the end of the third quarter.
Retirement Stock Portfolio: Safe Healthcare Stocks to Consider
11. Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26
Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) researches, develops, manufactures, and markets healthcare products worldwide. It is one of the best healthcare stocks for a retirement stock portfolio. On October 24, Novartis revealed that its iptacopan, an oral drug, met the two main goal of a phase three trial by showing superiority over AstraZeneca’s Soliris and Ultomiris to treat adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.
On September 7, Morgan Stanley analyst Mark Purcell maintained an Equal Weight rating on Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) stock and lowered the price target to CHF 88 from CHF 97.
Among the hedge funds being tracked by Insider Monkey, New York-based investment firm Renaissance Technologies is a leading shareholder in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) with 3.2 million shares worth more than $241.8 million.
Just like Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY), and AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV), Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) is one of the best healthcare stocks to consider for a retirement stock portfolio.
10. Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE:TDOC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 27
Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE:TDOC) provides virtual healthcare services in the United States and internationally. It is one of the top healthcare stocks for a retirement stock portfolio. On August 26, Cloud X announced that it is collaborating with Teladoc Health to better serve the remote monitoring needs of patients in Canada. In this partnership, existing RPM services of the Cloud DX will be enhanced with Teladoc’s virtual care capabilities.
On October 27, Citi analyst Daniel Grosslight maintained a Neutral rating on Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE:TDOC) stock and lowered the price target to $36 from $38, noting that the company delivered a solid third quarter and a clear path forward was beginning.
At the end of the third quarter of 2022, 27 hedge funds in the database of Insider Monkey held stakes worth $906.3 million in Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE:TDOC), compared to 32 the preceding quarter worth $1.2 billion.
In its Q1 2022 investor letter, RiverPark Funds, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE:TDOC) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:
“Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE:TDOC) is the largest telehealth provider in the US and has recently begun to expand internationally. TDOC’s platform enables an ever-expanding list of patient-doctor interactions (including those for primary health care, mental health issues and chronic condition management) to transition from an on-site visit to one that can be done remotely with full video- based interaction. TDOC provides its platform of services on both a business-to-business and direct-to-consumer basis, through monthly subscription-based relationships. For its core business-to-business clients, the company contracts with a wide range of entities, including large scale employers (the company currently contracts with over 50% of the Fortune 500), health plans, health systems, and medical insurance companies, which currently cover more than 50 million members. For these customers, the company provides a win-win-win, as patients spend no time traveling and less time waiting, doctors are more efficient seeing more patients in less time, and payers (employers and plan sponsors) save money while being able to offer a highly popular additional benefit for their employees. This B2B market is projected to be a +$100 billion market opportunity and TDOC is the clear global market leader. For its direct-to- consumer clients, the company provides a growing suite of services for individuals to have affordable access to on-demand and scheduled medical services, for which their current insurance does not provide reimbursement (such as extended mental health counseling) (…read more)
9. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 45
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO) manufactures, and distributes life science research and clinical diagnostic products in the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada, and Latin America. It is one of the premier healthcare stocks for a retirement stock portfolio. On October 10, Bio Rad Laboratories clarified that it was in talks with its competitor Qiagen N.V. to merge. This deal will be worth more than $10 billion.
On August 24, Credit Suisse analyst Dan Leonard initiated coverage of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO) stock with an Outperform rating and $715 price target, noting that margin expansion opportunity and digital PCR, or dPCR, product cycle will be beneficial for the company.
At the end of the third quarter of 2022, 45 hedge funds in the database of Insider Monkey held stakes worth $1.1 billion in Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO), compared to 43 in the previous quarter worth $1.3 billion.
8. Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 62
Zoetis, Inc. (NYSE:ZTS) discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes animal health medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic products in the United States and internationally. It is one of the major healthcare stocks for a retirement stock portfolio. On September 5, Zoetis declared that it has acquired NewMetrica, a Scottish health related digital tools developer. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Zoetis expects that NewMetrica’s tools will support the earlier detection and treatment of diseases as they gain more sight of the quality of life of pets.
On October 17, JPMorgan analyst Chris Schott maintained an Overweight rating on Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS) stock and lowered the price target to $225 from $250, noting that vet visit pressures remain but appear increasingly well reflected in the valuations of animal health names.
Among the hedge funds being tracked by Insider Monkey, New York-based investment firm Cantillon Capital Management is a leading shareholder in Zoetis, Inc. (NYSE:ZTS) with 1.9 million shares worth more than $275.5 million.
In its Q1 2022 investor letter, Baron Funds, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Zoetis, Inc. (NYSE:ZTS) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:
“Shares of Zoetis, Inc. (NYSE:ZTS), the global leader in the discovery, development, and manufacturing of companion and farm animal health medicine and vaccines, fell along with shares of other high-multiple 2021 standout performers. We retain conviction as Zoetis recently reported a top and bottom line beat with more than 21% growth driven by dermatology, parasiticides, and recently launched monoclonal osteoarthritic treatments. The company’s 2022 guidance was in line with Street expectations, calling for 9% to 11% operational revenue growth and modest margin expansion despite heavy investment in core growth drivers.”
7. HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 64
HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) provides health care services in the United States. It is one of the elite healthcare stocks for a retirement stock portfolio. On October 21, HCA Healthcare posted earnings for the third quarter of 2022, reporting earnings per share of $3.93, beating market estimates by $0.07. The revenue over the period was $14.97 billion, down 2.0% compared to the revenue over the same period last year and missing market estimates by $30 million.
On October 26, investment advisory Citi maintained a Buy rating on HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) stock and raised the price target to $251 from $240. Analyst Jason Cassorla issued the ratings update.
At the end of the third quarter of 2022, 64 hedge funds in the database of Insider Monkey held stakes worth $2.5 billion in HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA), compared to 63 the preceding quarter worth $2.2 billion.
In its Q2 2022 investor letter, Diamond Hill Capital Management, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:
“HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) is a best-in-class operator of acute care hospitals and other health care facilities, including outpatient surgery centers. It has a strong market presence in highly attractive geographies with growing populations and low unemployment, such as Texas and Florida, which leads to a favorable payor mix. We are further attracted to its strong management team that has a stellar track record of deploying capital, and the founding family continues to own almost a quarter of the business. We initiated a position after HCA reported Q1 earnings — it reduced full year guidance due to increased labor costs and lower-than-expected acuity among COVID admissions, dampening near-term investor sentiment.”
6. CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 67
CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) provides health services in the United States. It is one of the prominent healthcare stocks for a retirement stock portfolio. On November 2, CVS Health Corp declared that its adjusted profit will be in the range of $8.70 to $8.90 per share in 2023. This is higher than the new adjusted earnings forecast of $8.55 to $8.65 per share for this year.
On November 6, Raymond James analyst John Ransom maintained an Outperform rating on CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) stock and lowered the price target to $115 from $120, noting that the company’s third quarter results exceeded expectations.
Among the hedge funds being tracked by Insider Monkey, Connecticut-based investment firm AQR Capital Management is a leading shareholder in CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) with 3.8 million shares worth more than $365.7 million.
Along with Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY), and AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV), CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) is one of the best healthcare stocks to consider for a retirement stock portfolio.
In its Q3 2022 investor letter, Vltava Fund, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:
“CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) is a leader in the provision of healthcare services in the USA. It has three main businesses: an enormous network of pharmacies, a health insurance company, and “prescription benefit management”, which is a kind of intermediary between insurance companies and pharmacies. This is the result of large acquisitions over the past 15 years – most notably of Caremark (2007) and Aetna (2018). The markets had deemed its acquisition of health insurer Aetna too expensive (and we agree), so CVS stock then fell into disfavour for a few years.
We took advantage of this in the summer of 2020 and brought the stock into our portfolio at a time when its price was pressed down still further by the coronavirus pandemic. CVS is a giant. It has revenues of USD 300 billion, making it one of the largest companies in the world. It is a relatively stable and highly profitable company with strong free cash flow. Over the past few years, CVS has focused primarily on reducing debt.
This is already much lower than it had been after the Aetna acquisition, and most of the cash is now likely to go to shareholders through share buybacks or be used for smaller acquisitions to grow the company further. CVS trades at about 11 times annual earnings, which is a very appealing valuation given the expected future growth in profitability and overall modest cyclicality in its business.”
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Disclosure. None. Retirement Stock Portfolio: 11 Safe Healthcare Stocks to Consider is originally published on Insider Monkey.