These 3 Beaten-Down Healthcare Stocks Could Have Farther to Fall

Core Insights - "Buying the dip" can be risky, especially in defensive sectors like healthcare, where stocks may continue to decline for valid reasons [1] Group 1: Moderna - Moderna transitioned from a biotech start-up to a profitable drug company in 2021 and 2022 due to high demand for its COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax, generating billions in revenue [2] - Demand for COVID-19 vaccines has significantly decreased, leading to a sharp decline in revenue, with last quarter's total sales at just $142 million [3] - Share prices have fallen approximately 35% year-to-date and around 95% from all-time highs in 2021, with potential for further declines unless positive news is announced in the upcoming earnings report on Nov. 6 [4] Group 2: Novo Nordisk - Novo Nordisk, once a leader in GLP-1 therapies, faces increased competition from companies like Eli Lilly, resulting in a forecasted slowdown in earnings growth for this year and 2026 [5] - Earnings per share are projected to increase by only 3.8% this year and 4.8% in 2026, despite a 22% increase in 2024, with potential negative impacts from governmental pressure on GLP-1 prices [6][8] - Although Novo Nordisk appears cheap with a forward P/E ratio of 14 compared to Eli Lilly's 27, its valuation may not be justified given the growth outlook and potential price pressures [8]