These 3 Medical Stocks Have Wall Street's Bullish Vote for 2026
ZACKS·2025-12-24 15:16

Industry Overview - The Medical sector is undergoing a significant transformation as it approaches 2026, shifting from a defensive haven to a growth engine driven by innovation and demographic demand [1] - Key trends include the integration of artificial intelligence into clinical workflows, enhancing efficiency and precision in diagnostics and drug discovery [2] - The industry faces cost inflation and regulatory changes, pushing providers towards value-based care and operational innovation, while aging populations and chronic diseases sustain long-term demand [3] Stock Recommendations - Analysts are bullish on three medical stocks: Cencora, Inc. (COR), Addus HomeCare Corporation (ADUS), and Select Medical Holdings Corporation (SEM), due to their operational strength and long-term growth potential [4][5] - All three stocks have a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), a VGM Score of A, and a market capitalization exceeding $1 billion, with over 70% of brokers rating them as a strong buy or buy [6] Cencora, Inc. (COR) - Cencora is benefiting from higher unit volume and improved sales of GLP-1 drugs and specialty products, with strong performance in Canada and strategic investments in European distribution [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for COR's fiscal 2026 earnings is $17.62 per share, indicating a 10.1% year-over-year increase, with six upward estimate revisions in the past 60 days [12] Addus HomeCare Corporation (ADUS) - Addus provides personal care services to elderly and chronically ill individuals, with stable hiring trends and growing market size due to the cost benefits of home-based healthcare [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ADUS's 2025 earnings is $6.19 per share, signaling a 17.7% year-over-year growth, followed by a 10.7% increase in 2026 to $6.85 [15] Select Medical Holdings Corporation (SEM) - Select Medical operates critical illness recovery facilities and rehabilitation clinics, with strategic expansions and rising patient admissions driving performance [16] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SEM's 2025 earnings is $1.23 per share, indicating a 30.9% year-over-year jump, followed by a 9.9% increase in 2026 to $1.36 [18]