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With volatility rocking the market back and forth in 2022, it goes without saying that investors could benefit from injecting an additional layer of defense into their portfolios.
After all, defense wins ballgames.
When thinking of stocks with a defensive nature, healthcare comes to the front of many minds.
But why?
Healthcare companies can generate revenue in the face of any economic environment thanks to their services being in constant demand.
For those looking to level up their portfolio’s defense, three top-ranked healthcare stocks – Molina Healthcare (MOH - Free Report) , McKesson Corp. (MCK - Free Report) , and Humana (HUM - Free Report) – should all be considered.
The chart below illustrates the share performance of all three companies year-to-date with the S&P 500 blended in as a benchmark.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
As we can see, all three have widely outperformed the general market in 2022, telling us that market participants have defended them all year long. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
McKesson Corp.
McKesson Corp. is a healthcare services and information technology company operating through two segments: Distribution Solutions and Technology Solutions.
MCK’s near-term earnings outlook has turned visibly bright over the last several months, pushing the stock into a favorable Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Further, McKesson looks to continue its growth trajectory; for its current fiscal year (FY23), earnings are forecasted to climb by 3%.
And in FY24, bottom line estimates call for an additional 6.6% of growth.
MCK’s top line is also in exceptional health – revenue estimates suggest Y/Y growth of 5% and 4.3% in FY23 and FY24, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
McKesson shares could also be seen as undervalued, further bolstered by its Style Score of an A for Value. The company’s 14.5X forward earnings multiple is above its five-year median but represents a sizable 31% discount relative to its Zacks Medical Sector.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Molina Healthcare
Molina Healthcare is a multi-state managed care organization participating exclusively in government-sponsored healthcare programs. MOH sports a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Analysts have raised their bottom-line outlook across nearly all timeframes over the last several months.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Molina Healthcare’s growth trajectory is impossible to ignore – the Zacks Consensus EPS Estimate of $17.65 for its current fiscal year (FY22) pencils in a stellar double-digit 31% Y/Y uptick. For FY23, estimates are calling for an additional 13.5% of growth.
The projected earnings growth comes on top of forecasted Y/Y revenue increases of 12.5% and 6.3% in FY22 and FY23, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Further, Molina Healthcare has an impressive earnings track record, exceeding revenue and earnings estimates in each of its last four quarters. Just in its latest print, the company registered a 4.8% EPS beat paired with a 6.2% revenue beat.
Below is a chart illustrating the company’s revenue on a quarterly basis.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Humana
Humana is a health care plan provider in the United States, providing health insurance benefits under Health Maintenance Organization, Private Fee-For-Service, and Preferred Provider Organization plans. HUM sports a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy)
Over the last few months, analysts have had a bullish stance on the company’s bottom line outlook while also being in full agreement.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
HUM shares trade at a 20.2X forward earnings multiple, just a tick above their 19.7X five-year median and representing a slight 5% discount relative to their Zacks Medical Sector average.
Humana boasts a Style Score of an A for Value.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Like MOH and MCK, Humana carries a rock-solid growth profile; earnings are forecasted to grow by 21% in FY22 and a further double-digit 12% in FY23.
Humana’s top line estimates are also inspiring – the Zacks Consensus Sales Estimate of $93 billion for FY22 suggests revenue growth of nearly 12% compared to FY21 sales of $83.1 billion. In FY23, estimates call for a further 9% of revenue growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Bottom Line
While price action in 2022 has been overwhelmingly negative, some areas, such as healthcare stocks, are putting their defensive nature on full display.
Consumers have a never-ending need for the services these companies provide, helping explain why these stocks are generally seen as a safer place to park cash.
All three stocks above – Molina Healthcare (MOH - Free Report) , McKesson Corp. (MCK - Free Report) , and Humana (HUM - Free Report) – operate in the healthcare realm, have betas of less than 1.0, and have inspiring growth profiles.
To put the cherry on top, all three carry a favorable Zacks Rank.
All three deserve a watchlist spot for those looking to deploy a heavier defensive approach.
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3 Top-Ranked Healthcare Stocks Thriving in 2022
With volatility rocking the market back and forth in 2022, it goes without saying that investors could benefit from injecting an additional layer of defense into their portfolios.
After all, defense wins ballgames.
When thinking of stocks with a defensive nature, healthcare comes to the front of many minds.
But why?
Healthcare companies can generate revenue in the face of any economic environment thanks to their services being in constant demand.
For those looking to level up their portfolio’s defense, three top-ranked healthcare stocks – Molina Healthcare (MOH - Free Report) , McKesson Corp. (MCK - Free Report) , and Humana (HUM - Free Report) – should all be considered.
The chart below illustrates the share performance of all three companies year-to-date with the S&P 500 blended in as a benchmark.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
As we can see, all three have widely outperformed the general market in 2022, telling us that market participants have defended them all year long. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
McKesson Corp.
McKesson Corp. is a healthcare services and information technology company operating through two segments: Distribution Solutions and Technology Solutions.
MCK’s near-term earnings outlook has turned visibly bright over the last several months, pushing the stock into a favorable Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Further, McKesson looks to continue its growth trajectory; for its current fiscal year (FY23), earnings are forecasted to climb by 3%.
And in FY24, bottom line estimates call for an additional 6.6% of growth.
MCK’s top line is also in exceptional health – revenue estimates suggest Y/Y growth of 5% and 4.3% in FY23 and FY24, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
McKesson shares could also be seen as undervalued, further bolstered by its Style Score of an A for Value. The company’s 14.5X forward earnings multiple is above its five-year median but represents a sizable 31% discount relative to its Zacks Medical Sector.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Molina Healthcare
Molina Healthcare is a multi-state managed care organization participating exclusively in government-sponsored healthcare programs. MOH sports a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Analysts have raised their bottom-line outlook across nearly all timeframes over the last several months.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Molina Healthcare’s growth trajectory is impossible to ignore – the Zacks Consensus EPS Estimate of $17.65 for its current fiscal year (FY22) pencils in a stellar double-digit 31% Y/Y uptick. For FY23, estimates are calling for an additional 13.5% of growth.
The projected earnings growth comes on top of forecasted Y/Y revenue increases of 12.5% and 6.3% in FY22 and FY23, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Further, Molina Healthcare has an impressive earnings track record, exceeding revenue and earnings estimates in each of its last four quarters. Just in its latest print, the company registered a 4.8% EPS beat paired with a 6.2% revenue beat.
Below is a chart illustrating the company’s revenue on a quarterly basis.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Humana
Humana is a health care plan provider in the United States, providing health insurance benefits under Health Maintenance Organization, Private Fee-For-Service, and Preferred Provider Organization plans. HUM sports a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy)
Over the last few months, analysts have had a bullish stance on the company’s bottom line outlook while also being in full agreement.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
HUM shares trade at a 20.2X forward earnings multiple, just a tick above their 19.7X five-year median and representing a slight 5% discount relative to their Zacks Medical Sector average.
Humana boasts a Style Score of an A for Value.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Like MOH and MCK, Humana carries a rock-solid growth profile; earnings are forecasted to grow by 21% in FY22 and a further double-digit 12% in FY23.
Humana’s top line estimates are also inspiring – the Zacks Consensus Sales Estimate of $93 billion for FY22 suggests revenue growth of nearly 12% compared to FY21 sales of $83.1 billion. In FY23, estimates call for a further 9% of revenue growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Bottom Line
While price action in 2022 has been overwhelmingly negative, some areas, such as healthcare stocks, are putting their defensive nature on full display.
Consumers have a never-ending need for the services these companies provide, helping explain why these stocks are generally seen as a safer place to park cash.
All three stocks above – Molina Healthcare (MOH - Free Report) , McKesson Corp. (MCK - Free Report) , and Humana (HUM - Free Report) – operate in the healthcare realm, have betas of less than 1.0, and have inspiring growth profiles.
To put the cherry on top, all three carry a favorable Zacks Rank.
All three deserve a watchlist spot for those looking to deploy a heavier defensive approach.