We recently compiled a list of the 12 Best Healthcare Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) stands against the other healthcare stocks.

McKinsey reported that, since 2019, the US healthcare industry witnessed significant financial pressure. This is evidenced by the fact that industry EBITDA as a proportion of the National Health Expenditure has declined by an estimated 150 bps (basis points). This fall has impacted payers and providers. Notably, the payers’ estimated margins in 2024 might be at their lowest levels in a decade. While providers have been facing labor shortages, the inflationary pressures have not yet been fully absorbed in the broader healthcare system.

Amidst these past trends, what does the future hold?

What Lies Ahead for the US Healthcare Industry?

McKinsey believes that the healthcare players need to consider potential policy and regulatory changes that can take place in the coming years due to the 2025 change in federal government administration. Furthermore, the industry continues to undergo a shift in growth dynamics. Health services and technology (HST) revenue pools are projected to increase at an 8% CAGR from 2023 to 2028, courtesy of the double-digit growth in software platforms and advanced data and analytics via sales of innovative technologies (such as generative AI) to providers and payers.

Furthermore, pharmacy services can see continued growth, mainly those having a focus on specialty pharmacy. Growth is expected to be fueled by increased utilization and new therapy launches, says McKinsey. Notably, specialty pharmacy revenue is projected to rise at an 8% CAGR from 2023 to 2028, boosting EBITDA for specialty pharmacies and managed service providers.

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Growth Drivers in the Healthcare Industry

McKinsey estimates that healthcare EBITDA is expected to increase by 7% CAGR to $987 billion in 2028 from a baseline of $676 billion in 2023. In many segments, the improvement is expected to be backed by recovery from post-pandemic lows, while in other areas (such as HST and specialty pharmacy), growth is projected to be faster. Software platforms have a key role in the healthcare ecosystem, allowing providers and payers to be more efficient in a complex environment.

Technological innovation (such as generative AI and machine learning) continues to create opportunities for stakeholders throughout segments via automating workflows, promoting data connectivity, and generating actionable insights. McKinsey further added that specialty pharmacy revenue is expected to experience rapid growth because of higher utilization and pipeline expansion (such as in oncology). The increased use of specialty drugs continues to expand specialty pharmacy profit pools.

Our Methodology

To list the 12 Best Healthcare Stocks to Buy According to Analysts, we used a screener and filtered out the companies catering to the healthcare sector. Next, we chose the stocks that analysts saw the most upside to. Finally, the stocks were arranged in ascending order of their average upside potential, as of February 4. We also mentioned hedge fund sentiments around each stock, as of Q3 2024.

At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with 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 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 49

Average Upside Potential: 75.4%

Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) discovers, develops, manufactures, and delivers therapies for treating neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Oppenheimer reiterated its “Outperform” rating and a price target of $255.00 on the company’s shares. Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB)’s commercial strategies are expected to enhance the uptake of Leqembi.  Furthermore, the company continues to focus on its pipeline, with expected regulatory filings and late-stage trial results supporting product launches post-2027. Oppenheimer also noted the company’s disciplined approach to capital allocation, which is expected to result in operating margin expansion.

The firm’s views underscore Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB)’s leadership position in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) treatment, the potential for capital allocation, and the optionality offered by its pipeline. Furthermore, Oppenheimer lauded the multifaceted approach the company is adopting to maintain and grow its market position over the upcoming years. Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB)’s focus on developing therapies for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases has placed it well as a critical player in the industry.

Despite challenges, Leqembi is expected to remain a significant opportunity for the company. Positive real-world experiences, together with manageable administration, are expected to fuel wider adoption. Patient Capital Management, a value investing firm, released its Q2 2024 investor letter. Here is what the fund said:

“Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) is another name that we believe is underappreciated. As a global biopharmaceutical business, the company is most well known for their products in multiple sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, and most recently Alzheimer’s disease. The new CEO, Christopher Viehbacher, is working to improve the company’s pipeline, most recently with their acquisition of Human Immunology Biosciences Inc. in May. Chris has a strong track record of successful M&A and we expect him to continue that tradition. More importantly, we think the market is currently giving the company no credit for success in their Alzheimer’s indication. While the uptake in Leqembi, their Alzheimer’s product, has been slow, we still see strong long-term potential for a patient population that is dramatically underserved. We find the risk/reward extremely attractive.”

Overall BIIB ranks 5th on our list of the best healthcare stocks to buy according to analysts. While we acknowledge the potential of BIIB as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some deeply undervalued AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for a deeply undervalued AI stock that is more promising than BIIB but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.