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 Legend Biotech Corporation (NASDAQ:LEGN) 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).
A laboratory with workers in masks and lab coats focused on analyzing cell therapies.
Legend Biotech Corporation (NASDAQ:LEGN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31
Average Upside Potential: 114.3%
Legend Biotech Corporation (NASDAQ:LEGN) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, that is engaged in the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of novel cell therapies for oncology and other indications. On January 23, BTIG analyst Justin Zelin maintained a “Buy” rating on the company’s stock, maintaining a price target of $91. The rating is backed by the company’s strong sales performance and strategic capacity expansions. In Q4 2024 and FY 2024, Legend Biotech Corporation (NASDAQ:LEGN), in partnership with JNJ, posted CARVYKTI® sales that marginally exceeded anticipations. Notably, the company announced that CARVYKTI® generated ~$334 million in net trade sales during the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
The performance was mainly aided by strong demand in the relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma setting and successful capacity expansions both in the US and internationally. Additionally, Legend Biotech Corporation (NASDAQ:LEGN)’s management articulated plans for additional manufacturing expansions to cater to future demand, strengthening the confidence in reaching production goals by 2025. Notably, CARVYKTI® remains a best-in-class therapy for multiple myeloma, showcasing strong efficacy and an improving safety profile.
Notably, the positive data from Legend Biotech Corporation (NASDAQ:LEGN)’s CARTITUDE-4 study further cemented its competitive position as CARVYKTI is the first and only cell therapy shown to significantly extend overall survival in comparison to standard therapies for multiple myeloma patients as early as second line.
Overall LEGN ranks 1st on our list of the best healthcare stocks to buy according to analysts. While we acknowledge the potential of LEGN 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 LEGN but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and Complete List of 59 AI Companies Under $2 Billion in Market Cap.
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
