In this article we will take a look at 5 best healthcare stocks to buy according to hedge funds. If you want to read our detailed analysis of the healthcare industry, go to 10 Best Healthcare Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds.
5. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK)
Total Number of Hedge Fund Having Stakes in the Company: 79
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) is an American multinational pharmaceutical company. It has headquarters in Kenilworth, New Jersey, and was established as an American affiliate in 1891. The company ranks 5th on our list of the best healthcare stocks to buy according to hedge funds.
Recently, the US signed a deal with Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) to purchase 1.7 million of the company’s experimental COVID-19 treatment. The transaction is worth $1.2 billion for Merck & Co., Inc.’s (NYSE: MRK) treatment courses, which include oral antiviral treatment to counter COVID-19 proliferation.
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) has a popularity rating of 9.1% among hedge funds, with 79 hedge funds having shares in the company. It also has a market cap of $192.8 billion and a dividend yield of 3.51% or $2.6 a share.
4. Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR)
Total Number of Hedge Fund Having Stakes in the Company: 81
Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) is an American company focusing on the manufacturing of professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services. The company has headquarters in Washington, D.C., and ranked 4th on our list of the best healthcare stock picks by hedge funds.
Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) acquired Precision NanoSystems (PNI) on June 1. The latter is a genetic medicines technology and solutions company, based in Canada. The acquisition was made by Danaher Corporation’s (NYSE: DHR) Life Sciences Platform.
Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) gained 23.03% year to date and has a market cap of $175.65 billion. Among hedge funds, the company has a 9.4% popularity rating with 81 hedge funds having shares in Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR).
3. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY)
Total Number of Hedge Fund Having Stakes in the Company: 81
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) is an American multinational biopharmaceutical company. It has headquarters in New York City and is one of the world’s largest companies of its kind. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) has consistently made it to the Fortune 500 list of the largest US corporations, and in 2020, declared a total revenue of $39.3 billion. It is ranked 3rd on our list of the best healthcare stock picks by hedge funds.
The company has gained 9.79% year to date and has a market cap of $150.5 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) also has a dividend yield of 3% or $1.96 per share. The company has a 9.4% popularity rating among hedge fund holders, with 81 hedge funds having stakes in Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY).
2. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ)
Total Number of Hedge Fund Having Stakes in the Company: 81
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), an American multinational corporation and medical device company, was founded in 1886. The company develops medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and consumer packaged goods. It is also one of the few companies whose COVID-19 vaccine, Janssen, has received CDC approval. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) ranks 2nd on our list of the best healthcare stocks to buy according to hedge funds.
In light of concerns surrounding Johnson & Johnson’s (NYSE: JNJ) Janssen vaccines being set to expire soon, the company made a statement claiming that US regulators from the FDA have extended the vaccines’ expiry by 6 weeks, affording Janssen vaccines an extra 6 weeks of shelf life.
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) has a popularity rating of 9.4% among top hedge funds and 81 hedge funds have holdings in the company as of Q121. With a market cap of approximately $440 billion, a dividend yield of 2.56%, and a 6.76% gain year to date, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), like UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE: UNH), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE), is one of the best healthcare stocks to buy.
1. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE: UNH)
Total Number of Hedge Fund Having Stakes in the Company: 62
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE: UNH) ranks 1st on our list of the 10 best healthcare stocks to buy according to hedge funds, with a 10.3% popularity rating, and 89 hedge funds having stakes in the company. This is an American for-profit healthcare and insurance company. Its headquarters are in Minnetonka, Minnesota. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE: UNH) provides both healthcare products and insurance services.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE: UNH) announced a quarterly dividend increase on June 9th, of $1.45 per share, or a $5.80 annualized dividend of 1.44%.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE: UNH) also gained 14.88% year to date and has a market cap of $378.9 billion.
See also 10 Best Healthcare Dividend Stocks and 10 Best Stocks To Buy and Hold For 5 Years.
