In this article, we will be taking a look at the 10 best mid-cap healthcare stocks to buy now.
Global Healthcare Market: Growth Projections, Challenges, and Tech-Driven Innovations
According to projections by ReportLinker, the market for healthcare services will increase from $7.5 trillion in 2022 to $7.975 trillion in 2023. Through 2027, it is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%, or $9.8 trillion. Hospitals, digital health, and healthcare services are some of the segments that make up the global healthcare market. Between 2024 and 2029, the hospital market alone is expected to increase by 4.18% annually, reaching a market value of $5.19 trillion.
In December 2023, the World Health Organization reported that global healthcare spending hit a record $9.8 trillion in 2021, or 10.3% of global GDP. However, spending was unevenly distributed, with low-income countries experiencing a decline in government health spending, relying more on external aid. While 11% of the global population lived in countries spending less than $50 per person on health, high-income countries spent around $4,000 per capita. Despite rising public health spending during COVID-19, this growth is unlikely to continue as countries face economic challenges like slow growth, high inflation, and increased debt.
Dr Bruce Aylward, WHO Assistant Director-General, Universal Health Coverage, Life Course, said:
“Sustained public financing on health is urgently needed to progress towards universal health coverage. It is especially critical at this time when the world is confronted by the climate crisis, conflicts, and other complex emergencies. People’s health and well-being need to be protected by resilient health systems that can also withstand these shocks.”
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) estimates that national healthcare expenditures would grow at an average rate of 5.6% between 2027 and 2032, with spending on healthcare expected to reach an estimated $4.8 trillion in 2023.
The healthcare market is undergoing a tech-driven, patient-centered revolution. Telehealth, boosted by the pandemic, is now mainstream, with the global market valued at $60.15 billion in 2023 and expected to grow steadily. Precision medicine, driven by genomics, is set to become a $50.2 billion market by 2028, offering personalized treatments based on genetic makeup. AI is also transforming healthcare, with $31.5 billion in equity funding from 2019 to 2022 and potential annual US savings of $360 billion within five years. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is rising, with the global market at $71.9 billion in 2023 and projected to grow, supported by wearable technology.
With that, let’s now look at the 10 Best Mid-Cap Healthcare Stocks To Buy Now.
A patient viewing their medical diagnosis on a digital healthcare ecosystem.
Our Methodology
In our methodology, we focused on selecting healthcare stocks with market capitalizations between $2 billion and $10 billion that also had a strong/moderate buy rating and high institutional ownership. After identifying these stocks, we ranked them in ascending order based on their number of hedge fund holders as of Q2 2024.
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 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
10 Best Mid-Cap Healthcare Stocks To Buy Now
10. Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:APLS)
Hedge Fund Holders: 38
Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:APLS) is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in innovative therapies for rare diseases, particularly those involving the complement system which is a key part of the immune response.
A key catalyst for Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:APLS) is the success of SYFOVRE (pegcetacoplan injection), its treatment for geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). SYFOVRE generated $275 million in revenue in 2023, its first year on the market, indicating strong demand and physician acceptance. With a U.S. market of about 1 million GA patients, there is significant growth potential. Apellis reported total revenues of $397 million for 2023, a sharp increase from $75 million in 2022, driven by SYFOVRE’s launch and ongoing sales of EMPAVELI for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).
As of Q2 2024, around 38 hedge fund holders held stakes in the stock with EcoR1 Capital being the largest stakeholder with 11,607,425 worth $445,260,823. The stock has a rating of Strong Buy based on 16 Wall Street Analysts. The average price target is $69.56, with a high of $96.00 and a low of $41.00, reflecting a 78.82% increase from the last price of $38.90.
9. Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC)
Hedge Fund Holders: 39
Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC) is a leading U.S. provider of post-acute healthcare services, operating in two main segments: Inpatient Rehabilitation and Home Health & Hospice. The company offers specialized care for patients recovering from conditions like stroke, neurological disorders, and complex orthopedic issues.
The company experienced a 13.4% increase in revenue during the first quarter of 2024, primarily driven by a 10% rise in total patient discharges. Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC)’s President and Chief Executive Officer said in the Q2 earnings call transcript:
“We are continuing the expansion of our joint venture partnership with Piedmont the leading health care system in the state of Georgia. In May, we opened a 40-bed IRF unit within Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. In July, we expanded the relationship further with our existing 70-bed hospital in Augusta Georgia. Our joint venture relationship with Piedmont now includes six open hospitals and the previously announced plans to build hospitals in Athens, and Logan Ville, Georgia. With 15 development projects beyond 2024, already announced and underway, our pipeline remains robust and balanced between wholly owned and joint ventures. We also recently decided to undertake a major ERP conversion from predominantly an Oracle People Soft platform to Oracle Fusion.”
As of Q2 2024, around 39 hedge fund holders held stakes in the stock with Citadel Investment Group being the largest stakeholder with 1,536,417 shares worth $131,809,215. The stock holds a Strong Buy rating based on 7 Wall Street analysts. The average price target is $101.43, with a high of $109.00 and a low of $95.00, indicating a 9.01% increase from the current price of $93.05.
8. Perrigo Company plc (NYSE:PRGO)
Hedge Fund Holders: 39
Perrigo Company plc (NYSE:PRGO) is a leading provider of OTC health and wellness products, including treatments for respiratory issues, nutrition, digestive health, pain relief, and oral care. The company sells branded and private-label products through retail chains, pharmacies, and e-commerce platforms, focusing on affordable, high-quality self-care solutions.
Perrigo Company plc (NYSE:PRGO)’s growth is largely driven by its acquisition strategy. In 2022, Perrigo acquired HRA Pharma, enhancing its product range in women’s health and self-care, strengthening its position in European markets, and adding new growth opportunities through the Rx-to-OTC switch pipeline. This acquisition is expected to boost Perrigo’s adjusted EPS and organic growth.
In its Q2 2024 investor letter, O’keefe Stevens Advisory made the following statements about Perrigo Company plc (NYSE:PRGO):
“Perrigo offers over-the-counter (OTC) self-care and wellness solutions in the U.S. and internationally. In the U.S., the company primarily focuses on store brand products, whereas Perrigo markets its brand internationally. The Consumer Self-Care Americas (U.S. business) represents ~2/3 of sales, with most revenue generated through store-branded products at retailers including Target, Walmart, and CVS. Products include pain relief, sleep aids, upper respiratory relief, and digestive health. Consumer Self-Care International (International business) represents ~1/3 of revenue concentrated in Europe. 90% of sales stem from Perrigo’s branded products, pain and sleep aid brands Solpadeine and Nytol, upper respiratory – Aflubin, and Physiomer.”
In Q2 2024, around 39 hedge fund holders held stakes in the company with Philosophy Capital being the largest stakeholder with 2,402,384 shares worth $61,693,221. The stock holds a Moderate Buy rating based on 2 Wall Street Analysts. The average price target is $38.50, with a high of $42.00 and a low of $35.00. This represents a 32.30% increase from the current price of $29.10.
