5 Best European Companies To Invest In

2. Roche Holding AG (OTC:RHHBY)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 3

Stock performance YTD through November 27: -17%

Roche Holding AG (OTC:RHHBY) is a Swiss multinational healthcare corporation that focuses on pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. In addition to being the largest global pharma company, Roche Holding AG (OTC:RHHBY) is also a notable provider of cancer treatments worldwide. 

On December 6, Fitch Ratings affirmed Switzerland-based Roche Holding AG (OTC:RHHBY)’s long-term issuer default rating at ‘AA’ with a Stable Outlook. 

Group sales increased by 8% at constant exchange rates to CHF 46.7 billion in the first nine months of 2021, and EPS is projected to grow broadly in line with sales. Roche Holding AG (OTC:RHHBY) also expects to increase its dividend in Swiss francs further.

Citi analyst Andrew Baum on December 22 resumed coverage of Roche Holding AG (OTC:RHHBY) with a Buy rating and a SEK 422 price target. The Omicron variant should ensure tailwinds for Roche Holding AG (OTC:RHHBY)’s first half of 2022 in diagnostics, according to the analyst. 

In the third quarter of 2021, Fisher Asset Management, ARK Investment Management, and Ancora Advisors reported owning stakes in Roche Holding AG (OTC:RHHBY), collectively worth $164.77 million. 

Here is what Ariel International & Ariel Global Fund has to say about Roche Holding AG (OTC:RHHBY) in its Q3 2021 investor letter:

“Global pharmaceutical and diagnostics leader, Roche Holding AG weighed on relative performance over the trailing one-year period. However, negative investor sentiment for pharmaceutical companies began to reverse this spring as COVID-19 vaccination rates climbed across developed markets. Weak prescription trends prior to June was an opportunity delayed, not denied, as people deferred routine doctor visits and physicals over the last year on fears of contracting COVID-19. In our view, a normalization in patient trends and prescription activity has driven returns across many of our pharmaceutical holdings in recent months. Our long-term thesis for Roche remains focused on its leadership in oncology treatments and strong prescription and insurance reimbursement profile. We believe the company is well positioned given its deep research and development capability and pipeline of new drugs coming to market over the next several years.”