Health Wealth: Wall Street’s recent decline prompts investors to consider defensive portfolio strategies, particularly in healthcare, a traditionally safer and less volatile market segment.
The healthcare sector is dominated by high-octane performers, with 19 out of 65 S&P 500 health care stocks surpassing the broader market’s performance in 2024.
The top 10 healthcare stocks in the S&P 500, with a year-to-date performance of +8.7% in 2024, are listed below.
No. 10: Stryker Corp. (SYK) +15.9% YTD.
No. 9: Cencora Inc. (COR) +16% YTD.
No. 8: Boston Scientific Corp. (BSX) +17.9% YTD.
No. 7: Align Technology (ALGN) +18.9% YTD.
No. 6: Cigna Group (CI) +19% YTD.
No. 5: Edwards Lifesciences Corp (EW) +19.9% YTD.
No. 4: HCA Healthcare Inc (HCA) +20.9% YTD.
No. 3: DaVita Inc (DVA) +26.7% YTD.
No. 2: Catalent (CTLT) +26.9% YTD.
No. 1: Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) +30.5% YTD.
Some popular healthcare-focused ETFs are available for investors seeking additional exposure to the healthcare sector.
Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV)
Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT)
iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH)
iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF (IHI)
iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB)
SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI)
ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG)