Ultime notizie per iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (ARCA:IYH)

iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF

Healthcare

Basic Materials

Other

Industrials

The fund generally invests at least 90% of its assets in securities of the underlying index and in depositary receipts representing securities of the underlying index. The underlying index measures the performance of the healthcare sector of the U.S. equity market. The fund is non-diversified.

Eli Lilly & Co.

Unitedhealth Group Inc.

Johnson & Johnson

Abbvie Inc.

Merck & Co. Inc.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc

Danaher Corp.

Abbott Laboratories

Amgen Inc.

Pfizer, Inc.

iShares US Healthcare ETF

FDA commissioner Robert Califf&#8217;s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/21/11/24301293/robert-califfs-speedy-confirmation-vote-as-fda-head-likely-delayed-see-why" rel="noreferrer noopener">second term is anticipated</a> to end in 2025, and all eyes are now on who will be the next to take the position after Donald Trump is elected president for the second time.
He was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/fda-organization/robert-califf" rel="noreferrer noopener">elected</a> to head the agency in February 2022. Califf was briefly the agency&#8217;s commissioner under the Obama administration beginning in 2016.
At a conference <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/live/hQ7rYiJTcmU" rel="noreferrer noopener">hosted</a> by the Friends of Cancer Research, Califf acknowledged the uncertainty President-elect Donald Trump&#8217;s return to the White House raises for the agency workforce.
He is &#8220;disappointed&#8221; about the election&#8217;s outcome. &#8220;I think we just don&#8217;t know what&#8217;s going to happen.&#8221;
At the Tuesday conference, Califf added, &#8220;The gist of this administration, from everything that&#8217;s been said, is that they want to change a lot of things, and how it gets changed depends on who gets appointed into key positions and how the various policies play out.&#8221;
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/41866438/donald-trumps-second-term-could-reshape-us-healthcare-system-with-major-impacts-on-affordable-care-act-and-medicare" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump&#8217;s Second Term Could Reshape US Healthcare System, With Major Impacts on Affordable Care Act And Medicare</a>
Asked whether FDA employees are eying the exits, Califf said, &#8220;people are waiting to see.&#8221;
Asked to respond to Robert F. Kennedy Jr&#8217;s statements about clearing FDA groups focused on nutrition and other issues, Califf suggested the agency is limited in addressing issues with the American diet <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/11/41822473/trumps-potential-health-czar-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rattles-vaccine-stocks-shoot-first-reaction" rel="noreferrer noopener">because of Congress</a>.
In an interview Califf said, &#8220;In times of change and chaos, there&#8217;s also opportunity,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;I will just comment, there&#8217;s a lot of things that I bet almost everyone in leadership positions in the health agencies would have liked to have changed but couldn&#8217;t because of the gridlock of various interests that made it difficult to change things.&#8221;
Callif said he believes the FDA is at &#8220;peak performance right now — and we&#8217;ll see what happens as the new team comes in.&#8221;
&#8220;From things that have been said, the change could happen internally or from external decisions made by the administration,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I just think we have to wait and see and have some faith that hard-working, high-quality people are still going to be in place and have support from — I hope — the external regulated community, which given the dynamics is likely to be the most important factor.&#8221;
While Califf hasn&#8217;t officially announced his departure from the FDA, he said today that &#8220;this is not the first time I&#8217;ve ridden out of town after an election.&#8221;
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</ul>
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Biotech

Government

News

Regulations

Health Care

General

iShares Dow Jones US Pharmaceuticals Index Fund

iShares Trust Dow Jones US Healthcare Sector Index Fund

PowerShares Dynamic Healthcare Sector Portfolio

FDA Commissioner Califf Candid on Trump's Impact: 'We Just Don't Know What's Going to Happen'

Analyst Ratings

Trading Ideas

ASHTF

CNBC Halftime Report Final Trades: The Walt Disney Company, ASHTEAD GROUP PLC, The Trade Desk, iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF

On CNBC's &#8220;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/10/09/final-trades-john-deere-copart-amgen-and-the-iyh.html">Halftime Report Final Trades</a>,&#8221; Jim Lebenthal of Cerity Partners named Deere &amp; Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DE#NYSE">DE</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DE/analyst-ratings">as his final trade.</a>
On Wednesday, Citigroup analyst Kyle Menges maintained Deere with a Neutral and raised the price target from $395 to $420.
Jason Snipe of Odyssey Capital Advisors said Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGN#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>) has got a really strong pipeline.
On Monday, Barclays analyst Carter Gould maintained Amgen with an Equal-Weight rating and raised the price target from $300 to $315.
Don't forget to check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/">premarket coverage here</a>
Shannon Saccocia of NB Private Wealth named iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IYH#NYSE">IYH</a>).
Joseph M. Terranova of Virtus Investment Partners picked Copart, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CPRT#NASDAQ">CPRT</a>), an industrial name.
On Sept. 4, Copart reported quarterly earnings of 33 cents per share, which missed the analyst consensus estimate by 8.33%. Quarterly revenue came in at $1.068 billion, which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $1.081 billion. Gross profit and net income were $454 million and $323 million, respectively.
Price Action:
<ul>
<li>Deere gained 1.3% to close at $405.48 during Wednesday's session.</li>
<li>Amgen shares gained 1.5% to close at $322.41 on Wednesday.</li>
<li>iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF gained 1% during Wednesday's session.</li>
<li>Copart shares gained 2.6% to settle at $55.84 on Wednesday.</li>
</ul>
Check This Out: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41266054/s-p-settles-at-record-high-as-apple-amazon-shares-surge-investor-optimism-improves-ahead-of-inflati">S&amp;P Settles At Record High As Apple, Amazon Shares Surge: Investor Optimism Improves Ahead Of Inflation Data</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Long Ideas

Markets

Media

AMGN

CPRT

Deere, Amgen, Copart And More: CNBC's 'Final Trades'

CNBC Halftime Report Final Trades: Copart, Amgen, Deere & Company, iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF

On CNBC's &#8220;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/08/05/final-trades-kkr-co-leidos-holdings-abbvie-and-the-iyh.html">Halftime Report Final Trades</a>,&#8221; Jim Lebenthal of Cerity Partners said AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>) is a very <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/07/39992204/abbvie-wins-analyst-confidence-with-q2-beat-diverse-portfolio-fuels-long-term-growt">strong health care provider.</a>
On July 25, AbbVie reported second-quarter adjusted EPS of $2.65, down 8.9% year over year, beating the consensus of $2.57. Net revenues reached $14.46 billion, up 4.3%, beating the consensus of $14.03 billion. Sales were up 5.6% on an operational basis.
Stephen Weiss of Short Hills Capital Partners said Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LDOS#NYSE">LDOS</a>) reported stable earnings.
On July 30, Leidos reported better-than-expected second-quarter fiscal 2024 earnings. The company posted revenue growth of 8% year-over-year to $4.13 billion, beating the analyst consensus estimate of $4.06 billion, driven by demand across all customer segments, especially for managed health services.
Don't forget to check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/">premarket coverage here</a>
Stephanie Link of Hightower named iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IYH#NYSE">IYH</a>) as her final trade.
Joseph M. Terranova of Virtus Investment Partners picked KKR &amp; Co. Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KKR#NYSE">KKR</a>).
On July 31, KKR &amp; Co posted second-quarter earnings of 72 cents per share on sales of $4.17 billion. On Aug. 2, Citigroup analyst Chris Allen maintained KKR with a Buy rating, while raising the price target from $130 to $150.
Price Action:
<ul>
<li>AbbVie shares fell 2.6% to close at $184.36 on Monday.</li>
<li>Leidos gained 0.9% during Friday's session.</li>
<li>iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF fell 2.6% during Monday's session.</li>
<li>KKR shares fell 2.2% to settle at $106.23 on Monday.</li>
</ul>
Check This Out: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/08/40165522/top-3-tech-stocks-that-could-surge-this-quarter">Top 3 Tech Stocks That Could Surge This Quarter</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

ABBV

LDOS

AbbVie, Leidos, KKR And More On CNBC's 'Final Trades'

CNBC Halftime Report Final Trades: KKR & Co., Leidos Holdings, AbbVie, iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF

Jim Lebenthal of Cerity Partners named Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DAL#NYSE">DAL</a>) as his stock pick on CNBC's &#8220;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/07/22/final-trades-interactive-brokers-delta-the-smin-and-iyh.html">Halftime Report Final Trades</a>.&#8221; 
Shares of Delta Air Lines fell around 3.5% on Monday after the legacy carrier canceled more than 600 flights on Monday, as it struggled to recover from a global cyber outage that impacted <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39886639/why-are-delta-air-lines-shares-descending-on-monday">operations last week</a>.
On July 11, Delta Air Lines posted downbeat second-quarter earnings and issued lower-than-expected third-quarter earnings outlook. 
The company reported quarterly earnings of $2.36 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $2.37 per share. The company reported quarterly sales of $16.658 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $15.452 billion, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Don't forget to check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/">premarket coverage here</a>
Shannon Saccocia of NB Private Wealth named iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IYH#NYSE">IYH</a>) as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/IYH">her final trade</a>.
Joseph M. Terranova of Virtus Investment Partners said Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBKR#NASDAQ">IBKR</a>) had a post-earnings correction, which is coming to an end. The stock will resume its prevailing trend and march towards the $150 level.
On July 16, Interactive Brokers Group reported better-than-expected second-quarter financial results. 
The company reported quarterly sales of $1.29 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.262 billion, representing a 29% increase over sales of $1 billion from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly earnings of $1.76 per share, which beat the analyst consensus <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/07/39804112/interactive-brokers-reports-better-than-expected-q2-results-customer-accounts-increased-28-the-deta">estimate of $1.74 per share</a>.
Stephen Weiss of Short Hills Capital Partners picked iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF (CBOE: SMIN).
Price Action:
<ul>
<li>iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF rose 0.6% on Monday.</li>
<li>Interactive Brokers shares gained 1.4% to settle at $122.30 during Monday's session.</li>
<li>Delta Air Lines shares fell 3.5% to close at $43.83 on Monday.</li>
<li>iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF gained 1.4% on Monday.</li>
</ul>
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39881526/wall-streets-most-accurate-analysts-say-hold-these-3-utilities-stocks-with-over-5-dividend-yields">Wall Street&#8217;s Most Accurate Analysts Say Hold These 3 Utilities Stocks With Over 5% Dividend Yields</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

IBKR

SMIN

Delta Air Lines, Interactive Brokers And More: CNBC's 'Final Trades'

CNBC Halftime Report Final Trades: Interactive Brokers Group, Delta Air Lines, Ishares MSCI India Small Cap ETF, IShares U.S. Healthcare ETF

Healthcare investors are expecting Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/analyst-ratings/24/06/39499483/what-analysts-are-saying-about-cigna-group-stock">to ease regulations</a> on Medicare Advantage if the former president wins and returns to the White House.
Under the Biden administration, the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services has hardened its stance on the program after it faced criticism for insurers overbilling the government and denying care to seniors too many times, the Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/would-trump-ease-up-on-medicare-wall-street-thinks-so-6e9ac0c0?mod=lead_feature_below_a_pos1">reported</a>.
Republicans tend to favor privatizing government services and have been friendlier to Medicare Advantage plans, a trend that investors are betting could continue under a second Trump administration.&nbsp;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/07/39814804/unitedhealth-analysts-boost-their-forecasts-following-upbeat-earnings">UnitedHealth Analysts Boost Their Forecasts Following Upbeat Earnings</a>
Regulatory easing on Medicare Advantage could also rekindle talks on possible mergers between health insurers. The Cigna Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>) and Humana Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HUM#NYSE">HUM</a>) have discussed merging, but they backed away from the deal over antitrust issues and worries over Medicare, the Journal reported in November.
Price Action: The health insurance sector gave mixed results on Wall Street. United Healthcare Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) gained 4.44% to $573.28, while Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELV#NYSE">ELV</a>) dropped 5.95% to $520.21 and Cigna rose 1.49% to $344.76 on Wednesday.
Exchange-traded funds that hold health insurer stocks, however, trended upward.
<ul>
<li>iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHF#NYSE">IHF</a>) edged up 0.11%</li>
<li>The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLV#NYSE">XLV</a>) went up 0.45% </li>
<li>Global X Dow 30 Covered Call &amp; Growth ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DYLG#NYSE">DYLG</a>) inched up 0.25%</li>
<li>SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) gained 0.55%</li>
<li> iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IYH#NYSE">IYH</a>) ticked up 0.33%.</li>
</ul>
Read Now:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/analyst-ratings/24/07/39780960/what-analysts-are-saying-about-humana-stock">What Analysts Are Saying About Humana Stock</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Politics

ETFs

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

DYLG

streetTRACKS Dow Jones U.S. Large Cap Value Index Fund

iShares Dow Jones US Health Care Provides Index Fund

Healthcare Investors Bet On Easier Medicare Rules Under Potential Trump Administration

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/unh#NYSE">UNH</a>), the largest U.S. health insurer, reported better-than-expected second-quarter 2024 results as it breezed past the Zacks Consensus Estimate on both earnings and revenues. UNH shares climbed 6.5% on the day following the results.
Investors can tap the opportunity by investing in ETFs having the largest allocation to this health insurance giant. These include iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (ARCA:IHF), Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (ARCA:XLV), iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (ARCA:IYH), Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF (ARCA:FHLC) and SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF.
<h3>Earnings in Focus</h3>
Earnings per share came in at $6.80, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.65 and increasing 10.7% from the year-ago quarter. Revenues grew 6.4% year over year to $98.9 billion and were above the estimated $98.7 billion. The solid results were powered by strong growth in Optum health care unit.
Optum revenues increased 11.7% to $62.9 billion, driven by the higher number of patients at Optum Health and the increased number of customers using the Optum Rx pharmacy service. UnitedHealthcare revenues rose 5.3% year over year to $73.9 billion, reflecting growth in the number of people served domestically.
Medical ratio (a measure of the percentage of premiums paid out for medical services) deteriorated 190 basis points year over year to 85.1% but came in higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 84.4%.
The health insurer affirmed its 2024 earnings per share guidance in the range of $27.50-$28.00, indicating 10.5% year-over-year growth at the mid-point. Notably, UnitedHealth is among the largest players in the Medicare Advantage market, where private insurers offer an alternative to the original Medicare &mdash; the federal government&#39;s health insurance plan for people aged 65 and older or those with certain disabilities.
<h3>ETFs in Focus</h3>
Let&#39;s delve into each ETF below:
iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF
iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF follows the Dow Jones U.S. Select Healthcare Providers Index with exposure to companies that provide health insurance, diagnostics and specialized treatment. The fund holds 66 securities in its basket. UNH occupies the top position with a 23.8% share.
iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF has amassed $752.3 million in its asset base, while volume is light at about 76,000 shares per day, on average. It charges 40 bps in annual fees and has a Zacks ETF Rank #1 (Strong Buy) with a Medium risk outlook.
Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund
Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund is the most popular healthcare ETF and follows the Health Care Select Sector Index. It holds 63 securities in its basket, with UnitedHealth taking the second spot at 9.1% of the assets. Pharma, healthcare providers &amp; services, and healthcare equipment &amp; supplies take the largest share at 32.5%, 21.2% and 19.7%, respectively, from a sector look.
Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund has AUM of $40.3 billion in its asset base and trades in a heavy volume of around 6 million shares. The expense ratio comes in at 0.09%. XLV has a Zacks ETF Rank #1 (Strong Buy) with a Medium risk outlook.
iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF
iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF offers exposure to 107 U.S. healthcare equipment and services, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology companies by tracking the Russell 1000 Health Care RIC 22.5/45 Capped Gross Index. Here again, UnitedHealth is the second firm, accounting for 8.8% of the total assets. In terms of industrial exposure, pharma takes the top spot at 32.9%, followed by healthcare equipment (18.9%) and biotech (18.2%).
iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF has amassed $3.3 billion in its asset base while charging 40 bps in annual fees. It trades in a good volume of around 205,000 shares a day and has a Zacks ETF Rank #3 (Hold) with a Medium risk outlook.
Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF
Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF provides exposure to 369 healthcare stocks and tracks the MSCI USA IMI Health Care Index. UnitedHealth occupies the second position with 7.6% of the assets. Pharma accounts for 29.5% share while healthcare providers and services, healthcare equipment and supplies, and biotech round off the top three spots with double-digit exposure each.
Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF has AUM of $3 billion. Its expense ratio is 0.08%, while volume is good at 119,000 shares a day. FHLC has a Zacks ETF Rank #3 with a Medium risk outlook.
SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF
SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF is one of the largest and most popular ETFs in the large-cap space, with AUM of $34.3 billion and an average daily volume of 3 million shares. It tracks the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index, holding 30 stocks in its basket. UNH occupies the top position, accounting for an 8.8% share. Financials (23.3%), information technology (19.4%), healthcare (18.6%), consumer discretionary (14.3%) and industrials (13.9%) are the top five sectors.
SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF charges 16 bps in annual fees and has a Zacks ETF Rank #2 (Buy) with a Medium risk outlook.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2303715/unitedhealth-rises-on-q2-earnings-beat-etfs-to-gain?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-etf_news_and_commentary-2303715">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Earnings

FHLC

UnitedHealth Rises on Q2 Earnings Beat: ETFs to Gain

Looking for broad exposure to the Healthcare - Broad segment of the equity market? You should consider the iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (ARCA:IYH), a passively managed exchange traded fund launched on 06/12/2000.
Retail and institutional investors increasingly turn to passively managed ETFs because they offer low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency; these kind of funds are also excellent vehicles for long term investors.
Additionally, sector ETFs offer convenient ways to gain low risk and diversified exposure to a broad group of companies in particular sectors. Healthcare - Broad is one of the 16 broad Zacks sectors within the Zacks Industry classification. It is currently ranked 7, placing it in top 44%.
Index Details
The fund is sponsored by Blackrock (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/blk#NYSE">BLK</a>). It has amassed assets over $3.26 billion, making it one of the larger ETFs attempting to match the performance of the Healthcare - Broad segment of the equity market. IYH seeks to match the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index before fees and expenses.
The Russell 1000 Health Care RIC 22.5/45 Capped Gross Index measures the performance of the healthcare sector of the U.S. equity market.
Costs
Investors should also pay attention to an ETF&#39;s expense ratio. Lower cost products will produce better results than those with a higher cost, assuming all other metrics remain the same.
Annual operating expenses for this ETF are 0.40%, making it one of the cheaper products in the space.
It has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.16%.
Sector Exposure and Top Holdings
Even though ETFs offer diversified exposure that minimizes single stock risk, investors should also look at the actual holdings inside the fund. Luckily, most ETFs are very transparent products that disclose their holdings on a daily basis.
This ETF has heaviest allocation in the Healthcare sector--about 100% of the portfolio.
Looking at individual holdings, Eli Lilly (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/lly#NYSE">LLY</a>) accounts for about 11.72% of total assets, followed by Unitedhealth Group Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/unh#NYSE">UNH</a>) and Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jnj#NYSE">JNJ</a>).
The top 10 holdings account for about 53.73% of total assets under management.
Performance and Risk
Year-to-date, the iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF has added roughly 4.12% so far, and is up about 11.73% over the last 12 months (as of 05/30/2024). IYH has traded between $51.45 and $61.96 in this past 52-week period.
The ETF has a beta of 0.69 and standard deviation of 14.45% for the trailing three-year period, making it a medium risk choice in the space. With about 116 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk.
Alternatives
IShares U.S. Healthcare ETF carries a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), which is based on expected asset class return, expense ratio, and momentum, among other factors. Thus, IYH is a reasonable option for those seeking exposure to the Health Care ETFs area of the market. Investors might also want to consider some other ETF options in the space.
Vanguard Health Care ETF (ARCA:VHT) tracks MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (ARCA:XLV) tracks Health Care Select Sector Index. Vanguard Health Care ETF has $17.32 billion in assets, Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF has $38.12 billion. VHT has an expense ratio of 0.10% and XLV charges 0.09%.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2281071/should-you-invest-in-the-ishares-u-s-healthcare-etf-iyh?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-sector_etf-2281071">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Sector ETFs

Should You Invest in the iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF?

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) came down hard on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/06/32843338/warren-buffett-says-the-american-healthcare-system-is-a-tapeworm-destroying-our-economy">U.S. healthcare system, </a>a preview of a yet-to-be-aired podcast showed on Sunday.
What Happened: Ocasio-Cortez slammed the rising healthcare cost that Americans are left to contend with, in an episode of Sen. Bernie Sanders&#8216; (I-Vt.) <a href="https://www.instagram.com/berniesanders/reel/C64h3y3OkLV/">podcast</a> that is scheduled to air on Wednesday. &#8220;The fact that people are choosing between medicine and rent is barbarism,&#8221; she said.
&#8220;The fact that people are worried about whether they will be on the Street every four weeks is barbarism.&#8221;
The Congresswoman also highlighted the tough choices the American public is left to make. &#8220;The fact that every person has an ache or pain in their body, and they are scarred it could either be, just a sore joint or cancer, but they can&#8217;t find out because they can&#8217;t afford the doctor. This is barbaric,&#8221; she said.
Ocasio-Cortez underlined the need to act on the malaise. &#8220;If we do not demand, and not only demand, but win, unions, healthcare, wages, ending endless wars, then we will condemn ourselves to barbarism,&#8221; she said.
The representative committed to fighting for the cause. &#8220;And I refuse to give up. I refuse to submit myself to that future,&#8221; she said.
&#8220;That&#8217;s not a life. So, to live, we have to fight for each other,&#8221; she said.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-healthcare-stocks">Best Healthcare Stocks Right Now</a>
Why It&#8217;s Important: America has one of the highest healthcare costs in the world, with healthcare spending hitting $4.5 trillion in 2022, a <a href="https://www.pgpf.org/blog/2024/01/why-are-americans-paying-more-for-healthcare#:~:text=The%20United%20States%20has%20one,less%20than%20half%20as%20much.">report </a>released by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation in January said. Per-capita healthcare spending worked out to $13,493 compared to less than half as much prevailing in other wealthy countries, the report said.
As a percentage of GDP, healthcare costs have risen from 5% in 1962 to 17% in 2022. 
The spike, according to the report, could be due to increased utilization as well as higher costs charged for healthcare services. Incidentally, lawmakers have shown displeasure over the higher prescription drug costs pharma companies charge. 
Ocasio-Cortez is among the lawmakers, who supported the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/inflation-reduction-act"> Biden administration&#8217;s Inflation Reduction Act of 2022</a>, which envisages investment in climate and energy to tackle the climate crisis, advancing environmental&nbsp;justice.
The iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IYH#NYSE">IYH</a>) edged up 0.02% to $60.27, according to<a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag"> Benzinga Pro data.</a>
Read Next:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/05/38782080/seems-low-elon-musk-questions-pfizers-0-tax-bill-but-did-tesla-pony-up-to-uncle-sam"> &#8216;Seems Low:&#8217; Elon Musk Questions Pfizer&#8217;s $0 Tax Bill, But Did Tesla Pony Up To Uncle Sam?</a>
Photo via Shutterstock

'Barbarism:' AOC Unleashes Fury On US Healthcare System As People Are 'Choosing Between Medicine And Rent'

Macro Economic Events

Economics

Beninga Closing Bell Update: Oil Rises, Healthcare Stocks Continue Lower, Tech Pulls Back On Rising Yields

On CNBC&rsquo;s &quot;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/03/08/final-trades-target-las-vegas-sands-apollo-global-and-the-iyh.html">Halftime Report Final Trades</a>,&quot; Jason Snipe of Odyssey Capital Advisors named Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/apo#NYSE">APO</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/24/03/37516928/tripadvisor-attracts-apollo-globals-interest-for-possible-buyout"> as his final trade. </a>
On March 8, Apollo Global Management appointed Chris McIntyre as Partner, Global Head of the Institutional Client Group and member of the firm&#39;s Leadership Team, effective April 15, 2024.
Stephanie Link of Hightower picked Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/lvs#NYSE">LVS</a>), adding that Macau is recovering.
On Jan. 24, Las Vegas Sands reported mixed results for its fourth quarter. The company reported quarterly adjusted earnings of 57 cents per share, missing the analyst consensus estimate of 61 cents, a 400% increase over losses of 19 cents per share from the same period last year. Las Vegas Sands reported quarterly sales of $2.92 billion, exceeding the analyst consensus estimate of $2.90 billion, a 160.97% increase over sales of $1.12 billion from the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/01/36768438/las-vegas-sands-stock-rises-despite-mixed-q4-financial-results-the-details">same period last year</a>.
Don&rsquo;t forget to check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/"> premarket coverage here </a> 
Shannon Saccocia of Boston Private named iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/iyh#NYSE">IYH</a>).
Joseph Terranova of Virtus Investment Partners picked Target Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tgt#NYSE">TGT</a>) as his final trade.
On March 5, Target reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and issued FY24 outlook. The company reported fourth-quarter FY23 revenue growth of 1.7% year-on-year to $31.92 billion, beating the analyst consensus estimate of $31.83 billion.
Comparable sales declined 4.4% in the fourth quarter, reflecting comparable store sales declines of 5.4% and comparable digital sales decline of 0.7%. Adjusted EPS of $2.98 beat the analyst <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/03/37505665/these-analysts-boost-their-forecasts-on-target-after-upbeat-q4-earnings">consensus estimate of $2.42</a>.
Price Action:
Apollo Global Management shares fell 2% to close at $108.75 on Friday.
Las Vegas Sands shares rose 0.1% to close at $51.51 during Friday&rsquo;s session.
iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF fell 0.2% on Friday.
Shares of Target fell 1.1% to close at $169.72 on Friday. 
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/03/37553898/cramer-says-sprout-social-is-in-a-hot-spot-but-this-energy-stock-is-too-down-and-out"> Cramer Says Sprout Social Is In A &#39;Hot Spot,&#39; But This Energy Stock Is &#39;Too Down And Out&#39; &#39;</a>

Target, Apollo Global Management, Las Vegas Sands And More: CNBC's 'Final Trades'

According to the Global Data report, the pharma sector in Q3 2023 witnessed deals worth $28 billion, down 28% from the $54 billion recorded in Q2 2023.&nbsp;
Deal volume fell 9% from 242 deals in Q2 2023 to 221 M&amp;A deals in&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.globaldata.com/store/report/healthcare-industry-m-and-a-deals-by-theme-quarterly-analysis/" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Q3</a>&nbsp;2023.
PricewaterhouseCoopers&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/library/pharma-life-sciences-deals-outlook.html" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;in its Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences: U.S. Deals 2024 Outlook. &quot;As regulators&#39; perspectives on key deal factors become better understood, there may be a return of larger deals, along with continued interest in the $5 billion to $15 billion deals to fill targeted strategic gaps.&quot;
&quot;Despite some stabilization in the macroeconomic environment and the potential for a soft landing in sight, continued geopolitical and regulatory uncertainty seems a given in 2024,&quot; PWC added in its report.
The pharmaceutical and life sciences sector experienced a notably robust year in 2023, nearing pre-pandemic levels in both M&amp;A deal value and volume, the PWC report added.&nbsp;
Anticipations for 2024 suggest continuing this trend, projecting comparable activity levels within the range of $225 billion to $275 billion across all subsectors.
Notable Deals in 2023
<ul>
<li>Pfizer Inc&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pfe#NYSE">PFE</a>) acquired&nbsp;Seagen Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sgen#NASDAQ">SGEN</a>)<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/12/36198526/pfizer-clears-required-regulatory-hurdles-to-complete-43b-seagen-acquisition" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">&nbsp;for $43 billion.</a></li>
<li>Bristol Myers Squibb &amp; Co&nbsp;(NYSE:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bmy#NYSE" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">BMY</a>) agreed to acquire&nbsp;Karuna Therapeutics Inc&nbsp;KRTX for $330.00 per share in cash, for a total equity value of $14.0 billion, or $12.7 billion net of&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/12/36360205/bristol-myers-squibb-scoops-up-schizophrenia-player-karuna-therapeutics-in-massive-14b-deal" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">estimated cash acquired</a>.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Merck &amp; Co&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mrk#NYSE">MRK</a>) acquired&nbsp;Prometheus Biosciences&nbsp;for $200.00 per share in cash for a total equity&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/08/33491400/merck-swings-into-q2-loss-on-prometheus-biosciences-acquisition-charge-but-raises-fy23-revenue-ou" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">value of ~$10.8 billion</a>.</li>
<li>AbbVie Inc&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/abbv#NYSE">ABBV</a>) to acquire&nbsp;ImmunoGen Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/imgn#NASDAQ">IMGN</a>) and its flagship cancer therapy Elahere, for $31.26 per share in cash. The transaction values ImmunoGen at a total equity value of&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/11/36020779/immunogens-flagship-cancer-therapy-draws-abbvies-attention-with-10-1b-deal" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">approximately $10.1 billion</a>.&nbsp;</li>
<li>AbbVie Inc&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/abbv#NYSE">ABBV</a>) will acquire psychiatric and neurological disorders player&nbsp;Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings, Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cere#NASDAQ" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">CERE</a>) for $45 per share in cash with a total equity value of&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/12/36138161/why-cerevel-therapeutics-stock-is-higher" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">approximately $8.7 billion</a>.</li>
<li>Biogen Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/biib#NASDAQ" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">BIIB</a>) agreed to acquire&nbsp;Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/reta#NASDAQ" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">RETA</a>) for $172.50 per share in cash, reflecting an enterprise value of&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/07/33440534/biogen-bolsters-rare-disease-portfolio-agrees-to-buy-reata-pharmaceuticals-with-enterprise-value-" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">approximately $7.3 billion</a>.</li>
<li>Bristol Myers Squibb &amp; Co&nbsp;(NYSE:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bmy#NYSE" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">BMY</a>) agreed to purchase&nbsp;Mirati&nbsp;Therapeutics Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mrtx#NASDAQ" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">MRTX</a>) at $58.00 per share in cash, amounting to an overall equity valuation of $4.8 billion, with an additional Contingent Value Right at $12.00 per share in cash, offering an extra&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/10/35141493/bristol-myers-squibb-strengthens-oncology-portfolio-with-mirati-therapeutics-5b-deal" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">$1.0 billion in value opportunity</a>.</li>
<li>Japanese healthcare company&nbsp;Astellas Pharma Inc&nbsp;(OTC:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/alpmy#OTC" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">ALPMY</a>) has agreed to buy&nbsp;Iveric Bio Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/isee#NASDAQ" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">ISEE</a>) for $40.00 per share in cash for a total equity value of&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/05/32112605/astellas-pharma-acquires-iveric-bio-for-5-9b-to-focus-on-blindness-regeneration" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">approximately $5.9 billion</a>.</li>
<li>Most recently,&nbsp;Bristol Myers Squibb &amp; Co&nbsp;(NYSE:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bmy#NYSE" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">BMY</a>) has agreed to acquire&nbsp;RayzeBio Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ryzb#NASDAQ" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">RYZB</a>) for $62.50 per share in cash, for a total equity value of approximately $4.1 billion, or $3.6 billion net of&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/23/12/b36382478/bristol-myers-squibb-adds-premier-radiopharmaceutical-platform-with-acquisition-of-rayzebio" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">estimated cash acquired</a>.</li>
<li>Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay</li>
</ul>

ALPMY

BIIB

BMED

CERE

Harvard Apparatus Regenerative Technology

HART

HTEC

IMGN

ISEE

iShares Trust S&P Global Healthcare Sector Index Fund

MDEV

MRTX

PINK

RETA

RYZB

SGEN

Upward Trajectory For Biotech/Pharma M&A: Sector Trends Towards Pre-Pandemic Levels, Forecasts Positive For 2024

On CNBC&rsquo;s &quot;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2023/12/12/final-trades-shake-shack-pfizer-humana-and-ishares-us-healthcare.html">Halftime Report Final Trades</a>,&quot; Joshua Brown of Ritholtz Wealth Management named Shake Shack Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/shak#NYSE">SHAK</a>)<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SHAK/news"> as his final trade.</a>
Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti recently informed the board of his intention to retire in 2024 after the selection of a successor.
The New York-based burger chain continues to see fourth-quarter revenue of $276.25 million &mdash; $281.75 million <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/12/36177654/why-fast-casual-restaurant-chain-shake-shack-shares-are-shooting-higher-today">versus the consensus of $280.48 million.</a>
Stephen Weiss of Short Hills Capital Partners said Humana Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hum#NYSE">HUM</a>) has 15 times earnings.
Cigna Group (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ci#NYSE">CI</a>) reportedly ended its attempt to negotiate an acquisition deal with rival Humana after the pair <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/23/12/36175629/why-is-cigna-stock-trading-higher-today">disagreed on price terms</a>.
Don&rsquo;t forget to check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/"> premarket coverage here </a> 
Jenny Harrington of Gilman Hill Asset Management said Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pfe#NYSE">PFE</a>) has 5.7% dividend yield and 10 times earnings.
New York-based Pfizer agreed to donate the rights of royalties from sales of cancer drug Bavencio (avelumab) to the American Association for Cancer Research to address U.S. Federal Trade Commission concerns related to its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/12/36198526/pfizer-clears-required-regulatory-hurdles-to-complete-43b-seagen-acquisition">$43-billion deal to buy</a> Seagen Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sgen#NASDAQ">SGEN</a>).
Pfizer expects to close the Seagen acquisition on Thursday, Dec. 14.
Shannon Saccocia of Boston Private picked iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/iyh#NYSE">IYH</a>).
Price Action:
<ul>
<li>Shake Shack shares gained 0.9% to close at $67.42 on Tuesday.</li>
<li>Humana gained 1.1% to $481.94.</li>
<li>Pfizer gained 0.2% to $28.58.</li>
<li>iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF added 0.6% during Tuesday&rsquo;s session.</li>
</ul>
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/23/12/36195521/insiders-buying-delcath-systems-and-3-other-penny-stocks"> Insiders Buying Delcath Systems And 3 Other Penny Stocks</a>
Image: Shutterstock

SHAK

Pfizer's Dividend Yield Is 5.7%, Plus Humana And Shake Shack On CNBC's 'Final Trades'

In a recent development in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options/23/12/36047595/a-closer-look-at-cigna-groups-options-market-dynamics">health insurance sector, Cigna Corporation</a> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ci#NYSE">CI</a>) has withdrawn from its proposed merger with Humana Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hum#NYSE">HUM</a>).
What Happened: The deal, poised to create a colossal entity in the industry with an estimated $140 billion, fell through due to disagreements over financial terms.
With the merger off the table, Cigna is redirecting its strategy towards smaller, targeted acquisitions, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/cigna-calls-off-humana-pursuit-plans-big-stock-buyback-ae1c6b3c?mod=hp_lead_pos1">reports </a>The Wall Street Journal.
These acquisitions, described as &quot;bolt-on,&quot;&nbsp;signify a tactical pivot for the company. Initial discussions about Cigna acquiring Humana in a significant cash-and-stock transaction surfaced last month.
However, the&nbsp;proposal was met with skepticism from shareholders, leading to a notable decline in Cigna&#39;s stock value. Concerns centered on&nbsp;the proposed use of Cigna&#39;s stock in the transaction.
Rather than pursuing the acquisition, Cigna is planning&nbsp;a substantial stock buyback program. This initiative involves an additional $10 billion in stock repurchases, elevating the planned buybacks to $11.3 billion.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options/23/11/35904850/this-is-what-whales-are-betting-on-cigna-group">This Is What Whales Are Betting On Cigna Group</a>
Despite abandoning the merger, Cigna has maintained&nbsp;a positive outlook on the potential benefits of a partnership with Humana, especially in improving healthcare access and reducing consumer costs.
Despite the current administration&#39;s stringent approach to mergers and acquisitions, Cigna remains&nbsp;confident that a deal with Humana would have been viable from a regulatory standpoint.
The company intends to use a significant portion of its discretionary cash flow for share buybacks in the coming year, including repurchasing at least $5 billion of common stock by mid-2024.
As Cigna explores the sale of its Medicare Advantage business, the collapse of the Humana deal leaves it potentially on the sidelines of a vital and growing insurance market segment.
After its $54 billion acquisition of Express Scripts Holding, Cigna has emerged as a key player in pharmacy benefits and is expanding its Evernorth health services unit.
Related stocks such as UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/unh#NYSE">UNH</a>) and Elevance Health Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/elv#NYSE">ELV</a>), along with ETFs like the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEARCA: XLV) and the iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (NYSEARCA: IYH), often see movements in response to significant industry developments like this.
Now Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/12/36157103/heres-how-much-you-would-have-made-owning-cigna-group-stock-in-the-last-10-years">Here&#39;s How Much You Would Have Made Owning Cigna Group Stock In The Last 10 Years</a>
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo: Shutterstock

Cigna Drops Humana Merger, Opts For $10 Billion Buyback Strategy

On CNBC&rsquo;s &quot;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2023/12/01/final-trades-comerica-humana-cleveland-cliffs-more.html">Halftime Report Final Trades</a>,&quot; Shannon Saccocia of Boston Private named iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/iyh#NYSE">IYH</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/23/08/34031892/tightening-financial-conditions"> as her final trade.</a>
Rob Sechan of NewEdge Wealth picked Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cma#NYSE">CMA</a>).
On Friday, Goldman Sachs analyst Ryan Nash maintained Comerica with a Neutral and raised the price target from $45 to $50.
Don&rsquo;t forget to check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/"> premarket coverage here </a> 
Jim Lebenthal of Cerity Partners named Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/clf#NYSE">CLF</a>) earnings as his final trade.
Cleveland-Cliffs, last month, announced price increases for hot rolled, cold rolled and coated steel products.
Stephen Weiss of Short Hills Capital Partners picked&nbsp;Humana Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hum#NYSE">HUM</a>), which closed higher on Friday.
Cigna Group and Humana are reportedly discussing a merger deal to create a new powerhouse in the health insurance industry.
Price Action: Comerica shares gained 6.6% to close at $48.20, while iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF shares rose 0.5% on Friday. Cleveland-Cliffs gained 6.4% to $18.26, while Humana gained 2.1% to settle at $495.21 during Friday&rsquo;s session. 
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/23/12/36063278/saic-hawaiian-holdings-and-3-stocks-to-watch-heading-into-monday"> SAIC, Hawaiian Holdings And 3 Stocks To Watch Heading Into Monday </a>

Humana, Comerica, Cleveland-Cliffs, And More: CNBC's 'Final Trades'

It has been &quot;a really tough year&quot; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/healthcare">for the healthcare sector</a>.
That&#39;s according to Shannon Saccocia of Boston Private, who appeared on CNBC&rsquo;s &quot;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2023/11/22/final-trades-cisco-burlington-more.html">Halftime Report Final Trades</a>.&quot;
Saccocia named iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/iyh#NYSE">IYH</a>), adding that we are going to see &quot;some rotation back into the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/10/35105244/lab-developed-tests-under-fda-scrutiny-what-it-means-for-startups"> sector next year.&quot; </a>
Don&rsquo;t forget to check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/"> premarket coverage here </a>
Rob Sechan of NewEdge Wealth said Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/avgo#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) trades cheap and has 62% operating margin.
Broadcom announced that it has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/23/11/n35915437/broadcom-completes-acquisition-of-vmware">completed its acquisition</a> of VMware, Inc.
Jim Lebenthal of Cerity Partners said Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/csco#NASDAQ">CSCO</a>) had a bad week, but it&rsquo;s now &quot;ready to recover.&quot;
Cisco Systems reported upbeat earnings for its first quarter but lowered its earnings and sales projections for 2024.
Joseph Terranova of Virtus Investment Partners picked Burlington Stores, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/burl#NYSE">BURL</a>).
Burlington reported third-quarter total revenue growth of 12% Y/Y to $2.289 billion, missing the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/23/11/35897618/why-off-price-retailer-burlington-stores-shares-are-jumping-today">consensus of $2.31 billion</a>.
Price Action:
<ul>
<li>Broadcom shares fell 0.9% to close at $972.00</li>
<li>Cisco shares rose 0.6% to settle at $48.08 on Wednesday.</li>
<li>Burlington gained 4.1% to settle at $171.75</li>
<li>iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF gained 0.6% during Wednesday&rsquo;s session.</li>
</ul>
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/23/11/35911430/jim-cramer-calls-major-automaker-stock-a-wait-and-see-situation-i-want-to-see-the-quarte"> Jim Cramer Calls Major Automaker Stock A &#39;Wait And See Situation&#39; &mdash; &#39;I Want To See The Quarter&#39; </a>

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Cisco, Burlington Stores, Broadcom And More On CNBC's 'Final Trades'

A proposed regulatory shift has injected uncertainty into the laboratory-testing market just as startups advance various tests to detect diseases sooner and personalize treatments.
Startups seizing advances in fields such as genomics and artificial intelligence are designing laboratory-developed tests to spot cancer and other illnesses before symptoms arise and to identify optimal therapies.
Lab-developed tests are created and carried out in a single lab.&nbsp;
Labs perform these tests on blood or other specimens shipped to them. Most genetic tests, for example, are lab-developed tests.
The FDA says it historically has exercised its discretion not to regulate such tests, thus allowing startups to introduce the tests quickly and at relatively low cost.
That would change under a proposal the FDA&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics/laboratory-developed-tests" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">issued</a>&nbsp;Friday. The agency, citing concerns about the efficacy of lab-developed tests, said it plans to regulate these diagnostics.&nbsp;
As a result, many lab-developed tests would require review by the FDA before they can be sold.
But the agency&rsquo;s latest salvo leaves lab companies with less certainty about future regulation, complicating investment and product-development decisions, Wall Street Journal&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/fda-proposal-casts-cloud-over-startups-in-lab-testing-market-57702b2f?mod=latest_headlines" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">noted</a>, citing some observers.
&ldquo;If the path to market becomes longer, less predictable and more expensive, that will affect our ability to invest and will affect the number of new diagnostics that come to market,&rdquo; said&nbsp;Greg Yap, a partner with venture firm Menlo Ventures.
For a startup, performing all tests in its lab appeals because that can simplify quality control, especially for new and complex diagnostics.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the FDA said, many lab-developed tests were lower-risk and used for specialized needs of local populations.&nbsp;
Today, they are applied much more widely, and modern lab tests pose more risks, according to the agency. It noted it is aware of lab-developed tests that led to over- or under-treatment for heart disease, patients being exposed to inappropriate therapies or not getting effective therapies, and incorrect diagnoses of diseases, including Alzheimer&rsquo;s.
The FDA proposes regulating lab-based tests as medical devices, which may impact costs and insurance reimbursements.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

AGNG

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Healthcare ETFs offer diversified exposure, stable growth, and resilience during downturns, due to steady demand. Therefore, investors may consider strong healthcare ETFs, such as iShares U.S. Healthcare (IYH), Health Care Select Sector (XLV), and Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) for defensive growth. Read more... The healthcare market's outlook shines as organizations increasingly adopt generative AI to enhance customer experiences, boost efficiency, and address rising costs, fostering innovation and resilience. With their essential services and ongoing investments in technology and security, healthcare ETFs remain a robust choice for defensive growth during uncertain times.
Investors might consider healthcare ETFs like iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/IYH/">IYH</a>), The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/XLV/">XLV</a>), and Vanguard Health Care Index Fund ETF Shares (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/VHT/">VHT</a>) for stable growth potential.
The healthcare sector's stability during economic downturns makes ETFs in this space a safer investment. These funds offer diversified exposure to subsectors like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices, reducing individual stock risks. Additionally, the growing demand for healthcare services driven by an aging population ensures steady sector growth.
Furthermore, ongoing investment in R&amp;D to address unmet clinical needs and improve consumer health outcomes keeps companies ahead of the competition. Additionally, the rise of e-commerce and omni-channel experiences is transforming how consumers purchase health products. As a result, the global healthcare market is projected to grow at a 22.3% CAGR, reaching <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/healthcare-market-size-2024-2031-global-industry-jjyhf/">$9.01 billion by 2028</a>.
Given this favorable backdrop, let's evaluate the three <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/health-biotech-etfs/">Health &amp; Biotech ETFs</a> picks, starting with number three.
ETF #3: iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/IYH/">IYH</a>)
IYH is an exchange-traded fund launched by BlackRock, Inc. The fund is managed by BlackRock Fund Advisors and invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It focuses on stocks of companies operating across the healthcare sector and includes growth and value stocks of companies with diversified market capitalizations. The fund seeks to track the performance of the Russell 1000 Health Care RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index using a representative sampling technique.
With $3.32 billion in assets under management (AUM), IYH's top holding is Eli Lilly and Company (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/LLY/">LLY</a>) with an 11.08% weighting, followed by UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/UNH/">UNH</a>), with a 10.11% weighting, and Johnson &amp; Johnson (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/JNJ/">JNJ</a>), with 6.89%. It has a total of 109 holdings.
It has an expense ratio of 0.39%, lower than the category average of 0.52%. It currently has a <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/n/nav.asp">NAV</a> of $62.49. IYH's fund inflows came in at $24.39 million over the past month.
The fund's annual dividend of $0.70 yields 1.18% on the current share price. Its four-year average yield is 1.11%. Moreover, its dividend payouts have increased at a CAGR of 8% over the past three years.
IYH has gained 11.6% over the past year and 4.3% year-to-date to close the last trading session at $59.73.
IYH's <a href="https://stocknews.com/powr-ratings/">POWR Ratings</a> reflect this promising outlook. The POWR Ratings are calculated by considering 118 different factors, each weighted to an optimal degree.
IYH has a B grade for Buy &amp; Hold. Of the 42 ETFs in the <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/health-biotech-etfs/">Health &amp; Biotech ETFs</a> group, it is ranked #28. <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/IYH/">Click here</a> to access all of IYH's POWR Ratings.
ETF #2: The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/XLV/">XLV</a>)
XLV is an ETF launched by State Street Global Advisors, Inc. and managed by SSGA Funds Management, Inc. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States, focusing on stocks of companies operating across the healthcare sector. It includes growth and value stocks of companies with diversified market capitalizations. The fund seeks to track the performance of the Health Care Select Sector Index using a full replication technique.
With $39.59 million in assets under management (AUM), XLV's top holding is LLY with an 11.71% weighting, followed by UNH with a 10.34% weighting, and JNJ with 6.90%. XLV has a total of 63 holdings.
XLV has an expense ratio of 0.09%, lower than the category average of 0.52%. It currently has a NAV of $149.02. Its fund inflows came in at $472.36 million over the past three months.
The ETF pays an annual dividend of $2.27, which yields 1.60% on the current price. It has a four-year average dividend yield of 1.51%. Its dividend payouts have increased at a CAGR of 7.9% over the past three years and 8.7% over the past five years.
XLV has gained 3.9% year-to-date and 10.7% over the past year to close the last trading session at $141.81.
XLV's POWR Ratings reflect its promising prospects. XLV has a B grade for Buy &amp; Hold. In the same group, it is ranked #26. <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/XLV/">Click here</a> to access all of XLV's POWR Ratings.
ETF #1: Vanguard Health Care Index Fund ETF Shares (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/VHT/">VHT</a>)
VHT is an ETF launched and managed by The Vanguard Group, Inc. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States, focusing on stocks of companies operating across the healthcare sector. It includes growth and value stocks of companies with diversified market capitalizations. The fund seeks to track the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Index (IMI)/Health Care 25/50 using a full replication technique.
With $17.77 billion in AUM, the fund has a total of 414 holdings. VHT's top holding is LLY with a 10.95% weighting, followed by UNH with an 8.23% weighting, and AbbVie, Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/ABBV/">ABBV</a>) with 4.83%.
VHT has an expense ratio of 0.10%, lower than the category average of 0.52%. It currently has a NAV of $275.26. Its fund outflows came in at $15.90 million over the past month.
The fund's annual dividend of $3.85 yields 1.47% on the current share price. Its four-year average yield is 1.30%. Moreover, its dividend payouts have increased at a CAGR of 7.3% over the past three years.
VHT has gained 11.8% over the past year and 3.8% year-to-date to close the last trading session at $260.20.
VHT's strong fundamentals are reflected in its POWR Ratings. The ETF has an overall rating of B, translating to a Strong Buy in our proprietary rating system.
It has a B grade for Buy &amp; Hold and Trade. It is ranked #9 in the Health &amp; Biotech ETFs group. To access all the POWR Ratings for VHT, <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/VHT/">click here</a>.
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<hr />
XLV shares were trading at $141.94 per share on Monday afternoon, up $0.10 (+0.07%). Year-to-date, XLV has gained 5.25%, versus a 24.91% rise in the benchmark S&amp;P 500 index during the same period.
<hr><div style="clear:both;"></div> <h2>About the Author: Abhishek Bhuyan</h2> <img src='https:/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ABhuyan.jpg' style="float:left; padding:5px;width:125px;">Abhishek embarked on his professional journey as a financial journalist due to his keen interest in discerning the fundamental factors that influence the future performance of financial instruments.<a href="https://stocknews.com/authors/?author=abhishek-bhuyan">More...</a>The post <a href=https://stocknews.com/news/xlv-vht-iyh-3-healthcare-etfs-to-buy-for-defensive-growth/>3 Healthcare ETFs to Buy for Defensive Growth</a> appeared first on <a href=https://stocknews.com/>StockNews.com</a>

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