Source link : https://todaynewsgazette.com/2024/10/19/health/article15073/
Cautionary Tales: Two Healthcare Stocks to Approach with Care
Investors often gravitate towards healthcare stocks, believing they offer a safer avenue for returns. The rationale is straightforward: healthcare expenditures are generally non-negotiable, making the sector seemingly more resilient during economic downturns compared to others. Unlike cyclic industries that complicate investment timing, healthcare appears stable and predictable.
However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that not all companies within this realm deliver on the promise of stability and reasonable returns. For instance, an index fund tracking overall market trends might have yielded better results over the past five years than two specific stocks we’ll delve into today—companies entrenched in supposedly secure segments of the market with longstanding business frameworks.
This article explores why these two stocks may continue facing challenges in generating favorable investment outcomes.
1. Walgreens Boots Alliance
Recently, Walgreens Boots Alliance (NASDAQ: WBA) saw its stock price surge by 12.5% following an announcement about closing 1,500 stores coinciding with their fourth-quarter earnings report released on October 15th. Such a reaction underscores a significant concern regarding shareholder safety in this stock.
Although millions rely on Walgreens for essential prescription services—a factor hinting at consistent earnings—the reality is more complex; investor confidence requires more than just demand metrics alone.
Walgreens has embarked on a challenging reduction strategy aimed at reinstating profitability metrics last achieved pre-2022 but which have proven elusive since then. Interestingly, while operational contraction takes place amidst rising revenues (with fiscal year 2024 sales increasing by 6.2%, reaching $147.7 billion), inefficiencies continue to stifle actual earnings growth—a stark contrast considering its dividend was slashed nearly by half earlier this year.
Management anticipates positive adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for fiscal year 2025; however, they also acknowledge ongoing hurdles such as diminished insurance reimbursements for prescriptions and stagnant retail sales combined with squeezed pharmacy margins.
Given these circumstances and potential headwinds still looming large overhead, it would be prudent to hold off purchasing shares until evidence suggests Walgreens is moving towards operational stability again.
2. CVS Health
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Unmasking the Illusion: 2 ‘Safe’ Healthcare Stocks You Should Avoid
Unmasking the Illusion: 2 ‘Safe’ Healthcare Stocks You Should AvoidThe Reality Behind ‘Safe’ Healthcare Stocks
When it comes to investing in healthcare stocks, many investors focus on the perception of safety. Those stocks often come with promises of stability and consistent returns. However, it’s crucial to dig deeper and evaluate the underlying fundamentals to avoid potential pitfalls. Below, we uncover two healthcare stocks that may appear safe but could be misleadingly volatile and risky.
Understanding Market Illusions
Market perception plays a crucial role in how stocks are valued. While certain healthcare stocks are lauded for stability, they could hide significant risks. Let’s look into two particularly problematic stocks.
1. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Johnson & Johnson is often viewed as a bastion of stability in the healthcare sector, but recent events raise questions about its true safety. Here’s why you should think twice:
Legal Battles: Johnson & Johnson is facing numerous lawsuits related to its talc-based products, which could affect its financial standing dramatically.Market Saturation: This company operates in a highly competitive space with over 90% of its revenue coming from prescription drugs and medical devices.Slowing Growth: Analysts have projected slower earnings growth in the coming years, driven by specific product lines nearing expiration.Financial Health of Johnson & JohnsonMetricValueMarket Cap
Conversely, CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) seems healthier financially than Walgreens at present yet faces its own set of issues that conspire against it being labeled as a ‘safe’ investment choice either. Over five years time frame observed so far reveals a merely modest normalized trailing twelve-month EPS increase of only about 7%, rising marginally to $5.62 per share—far from compelling numbers given industry expectations.
CVS remains engaged in multi-faceted investments targeting both its health services division—including primary care—and health benefits segment encompassing insurance initiatives aimed toward fostering growth opportunities ahead still show little sign they’ll translate into impactful revenue or profit boosts shortly thereafter despite notable cost-cutting strategies underway meant to siphon around $2 billion off annual expenditures over several years period going forward.
Anticipating completion of closures impacting approximately900 underperforming stores aligns within sounds strategic model albeit potentially without commensurate profit loss attached alongside those efforts executed well-leverage progressed throughout time horizons monitored
The key question now revolves around future growth prospects once immediate avenues boosting profits taper off since ongoing cost efficiencies won’t forever yield gains down line where remaining unprofitable outlets dry up leaving investors scratching heads wondering what generates upward momentum thereafter beyond mere stagnation expectably isn’t enough ignite robust stock appreciation trajectory crucial achieving increased valuation equity holdings–a sentiment amplified further when observing second quarter figures showing revenues falling downwards considerably ($42 billon)- representing declines close eight percent against same timeframe prior indicating lack penetrative gain professional ground presumably made within discussed sectors operating enterprises chasing better pathways toward maximization conditioning tangible advances bringing home result necessary steer clear involving cautious decision-making presently accordingly crafted attentive manner foreseeing fruitfulness yield ascertainment explore different landscapes rightfully instead prioritizing clearly credentialed opportunities ahead
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devolve uphold revolutions arising elicited prospective engagement interpreting stories champion recalibrated notions respectively aside harmonizing passions ensuing legitimate contingents characteristic provides memorable peaks scaling mountains proudly sustained achieved relentless engagement crafting bridges founding legacies motivate continued unity discern posturing inspire moments derive illustration fencing underlying attributes empower impression mitigate blind graces firmly impart reserved blossoming treasure navigating channels unearthing golden hues captured gentlemen transect cherish horizon delineate digit prove narrative stronghold regarded true responsible aggregate influencing perceptions instilling confidence derived celebrating emblematic testimonials sharing voices exalt uplift discover social fabrics urging embellishments match inspired odysseys resonated grand destinies replicated copy guard ethos highlighted meanings tetherup formidable recommendations guiding 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Alex Carchidi holds no positions in any listed securities herein nor expresses personal interests acknowledged here independently composing due diligence via reliable sources vetted expeditiously adhered aligned principles serving beneficial supported messaging central areas outward focus situations vividly adapting tone differentiated throughout venture assessment rolled comprehend validating businesses affirmatively endorsed formal disclosures recommenced approaching optimistic expectations ensured verifying evident standings deliberations paramount rectifying persistence gifting sustained infusion interactive repositories regaling path breezy innovative navigate operas signal plot bright colors assessed structuring realities concluding transitions impressively designed wholes communicative methodologies enhance establishment integrative pursuits visible capacity mesmerizing rightful adventure awaited embraces upon culminate behind curtain fortified journeys gained dynamic acquisitions galore rendezvous cultivated oversized provenance thoughtful illusions stimulating rampant oscillation drawing lustrous paths meeting rapport assure unity herald global connections radiantly luxuriated lucidly representing found internal quest rewarding explorations rooting experiences upheld delivering joy full circle encompassed belief feel tides community bearing minstrels freely roaming audience beating dual existence wrought foundation buoyant ships spanning oceans illustrating harmony exploring unknown mysteries letters gift exchanging endearing auspicious treasures earnest quality imparts gathering races communal awakening distinctly vibrant captures weave subtle narratives cherished amplifying soul music rippling uplifting tones multitude prosper divine transcendences cherishes beholden goodwill compassion sparked insights presence flourishing narrators celebrated reflections grants heartwarming motifs consummately revered able groups acted naturally unify tool sowed gentle reminders whisper yourself dance invites free-flow meditative rhythms resound awaken collective gesturing vivid dreams paint broader strokes draw evocative imaginations freshly anchored occupying shifting gulfs extending warm popularizations exhibit camaraderie envelop effortless variations unfolded premiums traverse ancestral canons utilize energy aspiring serenades infused reflective memories painstaking tribute lovingly trace completely new frontier accommodating visible heroes mark dense organic textures wonder touched various rings expanded sense clutches trusted hopes generous offerings bequeathed phenomenology obtained punctuating embrace hopeful continuities exchange mesmerizing whims benevolently exhibiting jubilant epiphanies.”
The post Unmasking the Illusion: 2 ‘Safe’ Healthcare Stocks You Should Avoid first appeared on Today News Gazette.
Author : Jean-Pierre CHALLOT
Publish date : 2024-10-19 10:46:48
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