Could These Be The Top 4 Health Care Stocks To Watch Today?
Health care stocks continue to take center stage in the stock market even as we face arduous challenges due to the global pandemic. Well, the health care industry and system are extremely important to every country and individual at this moment. Some may argue that it is the pillar that supports a nation during this pandemic. Coronavirus aside, we can all agree that we will require health care services at some point in our lives. Whether you are feeling unwell or have an injury, you would need to seek health care services.
This is why companies such as CVS Health Corp (NYSE: CVS) and UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE: UNH) remain strong throughout the pandemic. On one hand, CVS stock has risen over 40% within the past year as the retail pharmacy’s services remain on demand. On the other hand, UNH has steadily climbed by over 30% over the same period while maintaining its status as the largest health care company in the world by market cap. Given these considerations, would a list of these four health care stocks in the stock market today interest you?
Best Health Care Stocks To Watch Now
- ICU Medical Inc (NASDAQ: ICUI)
- Sanofi SA (NASDAQ: SNY)
- Perrigo Company PLC (NYSE: PRGO)
- Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: AUPH)
ICU Medical Inc
To kick start the list, we will be looking at ICU Medical. The company engages in the development, manufacture, and sales of medical devices. The areas of specialty that it focuses on are infusion therapy, oncology, and critical care applications. Essentially, ICU Medical connects patients and caregivers through safe, life-saving IV therapy products, systems, and services.
On Wednesday, the company announced that it will acquire Smiths Medical. This business includes syringes, ambulatory infusion devices, vascular, and vital care products. The combination of these two businesses would benefit the device marketplace. It also fits well with what ICU Medical is currently focusing on. So, this would make ICU Medical be one of the leading IV therapy companies in the world.
Besides that, ICU Medical also announced its second-quarter earnings last month. It posted a revenue of $321.7 million, an increase of 6.0% year-over-year. Meanwhile, its GAAP net income for the quarter was $28.4 million, representing an increase of 50.2% year-over-year. Overall, the company appears to be in a healthy position with much promise going forward. So, would you consider adding ICUI stock to your watchlist?
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Sanofi SA
Now, let us look at the French-based health care company, Sanofi. In detail, the company specializes in patient needs and therapeutic solutions. With the company’s presence in over 90 countries around the world, it would not be surprising that SNY stock is often on the radar of health care investors.
Yesterday, the company entered into a definitive merger agreement with Kadmon (NASDAQ: KDMN). This acquisition supports Sanofi’s strategy to continue to grow its General Medicines core assets. Also, it will add Rezurock to its transplant portfolio. Rezurock is a recently FDA-approved treatment for chronic graft-versus-host disease for adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older. Overall, it will further strengthen Sanofi’s growth in the transplant business.
It is also noteworthy that the company’s Dupixent (dupilumab) pivotal trial meets all primary and secondary endpoints. So, it is the first biologic medicine to significantly reduce signs and symptoms of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in children as young as 6 months. Given these exciting developments, would SNY now be a top health care stock to watch?
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Perrigo Company PLC
Perrigo is a provider of over-the-counter (OTC) health and wellness solutions. Thus, it provides treatment and preventive measures to consumers for conditions that can be self-managed. While 70% of its net sales are from the U.S. health care system, the company legally has its headquarter in Ireland. PRGO stock soared by 8.99% on Wednesday’s trading session, so let us see what may have caused this movement.
Investors responded favorably to the company’s announcement of the signing to acquire Héra SAS (HRA). The transaction is valued at $2.1 billion in cash. For those unaware, HRA is one of the fastest-growing OTC companies in the world. It has three category-leading self-care brands in blister care (Compeed), women’s health (ellaOne), and scar care (Mederma).
Therefore, HRA will complete Perrigo’s transformation to a global leader in consumer care and bolster its presence in the European market. The company believes that together, it will be able to meaningfully improve its already strong operational and financial profile. With all these in mind, do you believe Perrigo will be able to advance its products for the years to come? If you do, would you consider investing in PRGO stock?
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Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc
To sum things up, we have the late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals. Put simply, it focuses on developing and commercializing therapies to treat patient populations with serious diseases. The company is known for developing Lupkynis for the treatment of adult patients with active lupus nephritis. AUPH stock quietly climbed by over 24% within the past month.
Last month, the company announced the addition of two novel assets that will expand its rare autoimmune and kidney-related disease pipeline. First, we have AUR200 that was acquired by purchasing all of the common stock of Thunderbolt Pharma. This is a recombinant Fc fusion protein that specifically blocks the B-cell Activating Factor, known as BAFF and a Proliferation-Inducing Ligand known as APRIL. Blocking these factors is important as both play a role in the pathogenesis of certain autoimmune and nephrology conditions.
The other program would be AUR300 that was secured through a global licensing and research agreement with Riptide Bioscience. AUR300 acts to reduce M2 dysregulation and decrease inflammatory cytokines and therefore may have significant clinical applications for autoimmune and fibrotic diseases. All in all, these transactions are transformational for the company as it would leverage its existing R&D capabilities and commercial experience to advance innovative therapeutic solutions. So, would AUPH make its way to the top of your watchlist?
