Healthcare Stocks Trading Guide: All You Need to Know

Plus500

Monday 23 December 2024

The healthcare industry is arguably one of the most vital sectors in the market and one that plays an important role in our daily lives. It provides life-saving medicines and innovations that have shaped the healthcare system as we know it today. As such, this sector might interest many traders and investors seeking further trading opportunities. In light of this, the following article features some useful information for those thinking of trading healthcare stocks:

TL;DR

The healthcare sector is crucial for providing life-saving medicines and innovations, making it a focal point for traders and investors.
The ageing population, medical innovations, earnings reports, and monetary policy changes can shift healthcare stock prices.
Notable healthcare companies include Universal Health Services, Intuitive Surgical, Eli Lilly, and others.
Trading healthcare share prices can be done with Plus500’s share CFDs.

What Are Healthcare Stocks?

Healthcare stocks refer to the shares of publicly traded companies involved in the healthcare sector, like those involved in the development of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals and the provision of medical care.

What Are the Different Types of Healthcare Stocks?

Some of the main types of healthcare companies include those involved in the development and production of pharmaceuticals aimed at treating and preventing diseases. On the other hand, medical device stocks consist of businesses that design and manufacture essential medical instruments and equipment, which are crucial for medical research and development, often supporting pharmaceutical firms.

Health insurance stocks include companies that provide health insurance plans to help cover medical expenses for both employers and individual consumers, as well as pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs).

Additionally, medical services provider stocks encompass a variety of organisations, such as hospital operators, home healthcare providers, and managed care facilities, all of which deliver vital healthcare services within the broader healthcare industry. (Source: Forbes)

What Moves the Price of Healthcare Stocks?

Some of the main drivers of healthcare stock prices include:

The Aging Population: As the population ages, there is a greater demand for medical care, which can lead to increased medicine prices and benefit the companies involved.
Innovations: Cutting-edge medical technologies and new medicines can significantly boost stock prices for healthcare companies.
Monetary Policy Changes: Adjustments in interest rates or taxation can also impact healthcare stocks.
Earnings Reports: These reports can also influence the prices of healthcare stocks. Positive earnings can boost stock prices and vice versa.

Top Healthcare Stocks (2024)

While during the Covid-19 pandemic, the main healthcare companies that made the headlines were Pfizer (PFE) and Moderna (MRNA); as of September 2024, Plus500 offers share CFDs on some of the biggest healthcare stocks:

How to Trade Healthcare Share CFDs

One way to trade healthcare stocks is through direct investment. Nonetheless, for those interested in gaining exposure to rising and falling healthcare share prices without having to own the underlying shares, trading healthcare share Contracts for Difference (CFDs) with Plus500 can be an option.

This provides you with access to leveraged trading, meaning both your gains and losses can be amplified.

Conclusion

The healthcare industry is a critical sector that significantly impacts both the market and everyday life by providing essential medicines and innovations. Healthcare stocks represent shares in publicly traded companies involved in various areas, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, health insurance, and medical services.

Key factors influencing the prices of healthcare stocks include the ageing population, technological innovations, changes in monetary policy, and earnings reports. Prominent healthcare stocks as of September 2024 include Universal Health Services, Intuitive Surgical, and Eli Lilly.

For traders, options for investing in healthcare stocks include direct investments or trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs), which allow for leveraged exposure to price movements without owning the shares outright.

If healthcare stocks pique your interest, trade healthcare share CFDs with Plus500.

FAQs:

What is a healthcare stock?

Healthcare stocks are shares in publicly traded companies that operate within the healthcare sector, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, health insurance, and medical services.

What Types of Companies Are Included in Healthcare Stocks?

Healthcare stocks encompass pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, health insurance providers, and medical services organisations, such as hospitals and home healthcare providers.