Core Insights - Cencora, Inc. is identified as a strong healthcare stock for 2026, with Morgan Stanley upgrading its rating from Equalweight to Overweight and raising the price target to $400 due to its robust position in specialty pharmaceuticals and the upcoming majority acquisition of OneOncology [1][2] Financial Performance and Growth Projections - Analysts have increased Cencora's FY2026 U.S. Healthcare Solutions AOI growth forecast to 10.8% and International AOI growth to 7.0%, leading to an EPS estimate of $17.63, which is slightly above consensus [2] - Following the announcement of credit agreements, Jefferies upgraded Cencora to a Buy from Hold and raised the price target from $330 to $440, citing the company's strong execution and enhanced long-term plans as key investment factors [5] Acquisition Financing - Cencora entered into credit agreements totaling $4.5 billion to finance the acquisition of OneOncology, which includes a $1.5 billion term credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank and a separate $3 billion term loan facility with Citibank [3][4] - The proceeds from these credit agreements will be used for acquisition consideration, debt repayment, and covering related fees and expenses, with funding contingent on the successful completion of the acquisition [4]

Core Viewpoint - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited is considered one of the best healthcare stocks to buy for 2026, with analysts optimistic about its growth potential despite some revenue headwinds [1][2]. Financial Performance - Teva reported strong Q4 2025 results, with earnings per share (EPS) of $0.96, surpassing the forecast of $0.65, and revenue of $4.71 billion, exceeding expectations of $4.33 billion, aided by a $500 million milestone payment from Sanofi [3]. - However, the company projected lower revenue for 2026, estimating between $16.4 billion and $16.8 billion, along with adjusted EPS of $2.57 to $2.77, reflecting a significant impact from lost sales of its generic Revlimid due to increased competition [3]. Growth Drivers - Teva's innovative portfolio is a key growth driver, with Austedo generating $725 million in U.S. sales in Q4, marking a 40% year-over-year increase. The combined revenue from Austedo, Ajovy, and Uzedy reached $3.1 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to up to $3.6 billion in 2026 [4]. - Analysts highlight pipeline catalysts, including a potential FDA decision on Olanzapine LAI, which could unlock a $3 billion sales opportunity, supporting Teva's growth narrative [1][2]. Market Position - Teva is recognized as a global leader in generic and specialty medicines, focusing on the development, manufacturing, and marketing of drugs across various therapeutic areas, including central nervous system, respiratory, and oncology [5].

Group 1 - Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:EW) is considered one of the best healthcare stocks to buy for 2026, with Stifel raising its price target to $110 from $105 while maintaining a Buy rating [1] - The price target increase is attributed to a significant rise in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedures, indicating strong growth in the TAVR market fundamentals [2] - The company's revenue grew by 10% in the third quarter, primarily driven by the TAVR division, which constitutes 75% of total revenue, marking the strongest growth for this division in recent years [2] Group 2 - On January 9, TD Cowen upgraded Edwards Lifesciences to a Buy from Hold and raised the price target to $97 from $90, citing a renewed growth cycle driven by expanded indications for TAVR [3] - Edwards Lifesciences is a medical technology company focused on innovations for heart conditions, specializing in structural heart disease and critical care monitoring [4]

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALNY) is one of the best healthcare stocks to buy for 2026. On January 20, RBC Capital reiterated an Outperform rating on Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALNY) but cut the price target to $465 from $500. Analyst Views Diverge as Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ALNY) Targets $5.1B Revenue and Long-Term Growth The new price outlook comes on Alnylam Pharmaceuticals announcing strategic priorities for the year, including achieving revenue of $5.1 billion, exceeding ...

Core Viewpoint - Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is considered a strong healthcare stock for 2026, with RBC Capital maintaining an Outperform rating but lowering the price target to $465 from $500 [1]. Group 1: Analyst Views - Alnylam Pharmaceuticals aims for a revenue target of $5.1 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $4.7 billion, with a long-term goal of a 25% compound annual growth rate through 2030, leading to projected revenue of $11.2 billion [2]. - Cantor Fitzgerald has a Neutral rating on Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, citing a slowdown in Amvuttra cardiomyopathy sales in November, although sales rebounded in December. The firm anticipates a mid-single-digit decline in Amvuttra's net price by 2026, influencing their cautious outlook [3]. Group 2: Company Overview - Alnylam Pharmaceuticals specializes in developing innovative medicines using RNA interference (RNAi) technology to target and silence disease-causing genes, focusing on treatments for rare and common genetic, metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases [4].

Group 1 - CVS Health Corporation is considered one of the best healthcare stocks to buy for 2026, with a price target cut to $95 from $100 while maintaining a Buy rating due to CMS's proposed policies affecting Medicare Advantage plans [1] - Cantor Fitzgerald has reiterated CVS as a preferred stock for Medicare Advantage exposure in 2026, expecting the company to benefit from a favorable regulatory environment [2] - Upcoming catalysts in the Medicare Advantage sector include CMS enrollment data and preliminary MA rate notices, which CVS is well-positioned to benefit from [3] Group 2 - CVS's board approved a quarterly dividend of $0.665 per share, reflecting the company's commitment to its integrated healthcare model [4] - CVS Health integrates retail pharmacies and a major health insurer (Aetna) to provide connected health services, prescriptions, insurance, and wellness programs [4]

Core Viewpoint - AbbVie Inc. is considered one of the best healthcare stocks to buy for 2026, with Goldman Sachs reaffirming a Neutral rating and a price target of $223 ahead of its Q4 2025 earnings and 2026 guidance release [1] Financial Performance - Goldman Sachs projects AbbVie will achieve $67.1 billion in revenue for 2026, with $21.3 billion from Skyrizi and $10.4 billion from Rinvoq, alongside an EPS of $14.22, which aligns with consensus expectations [1] - A slight revenue beat is anticipated in Q4, driven by Skyrizi's performance exceeding expectations, while Rinvoq is expected to perform slightly below [2] Business Segments - The Aesthetics business is under continued pressure, while Neurology and Oncology are expected to show steady results [2] - AbbVie has a high P/E ratio of 168.95, reflecting strong growth expectations, supported by a dividend yield of 3.09% [2] Clinical Trials - AbbVie reported mixed results in the phase 3 Lymphoma trial for epcoritamab, showing improved progression-free survival but failing to meet the overall survival endpoint [3] - The adverse events observed were consistent with the known safety profile of the candidate drug [3] Strategic Response - AbbVie and its partner Genmab are investigating potential factors that may have negatively influenced the trial results, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the availability of new anti-lymphoma therapies [4] Company Overview - AbbVie is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and delivering innovative medicines for complex health issues, specializing in immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care [5]

Group 1: Company Expansion and Investment - Eli Lilly plans to build six new manufacturing plants in the U.S. and has announced an investment of at least $27 billion to expand production and strengthen medical supply chains [1] - The company has confirmed three plants in Alabama, Virginia, and Texas, aiming to boost U.S. manufacturing capacity and support long-term growth in pharmaceuticals [1] Group 2: Breakthrough Therapy Designation - The U.S. FDA granted Eli Lilly Breakthrough Therapy Designation for its ovarian cancer drug, sofetabart mipitecan, facilitating expedited development and review [2] - The designation follows positive results from a Phase 1a/b study, showing responses at all dose levels and low rates of adverse effects [3] Group 3: Market Position and Analyst Ratings - Bernstein has reiterated an Outperform rating on Eli Lilly, setting a price target of $1300 and highlighting it as a top pick in the healthcare sector [4] - The positive outlook is based on expectations that the company will capitalize on oral medication opportunities and international expansion, as well as its diabetes treatment initiatives [4] Group 4: Company Overview - Eli Lilly is a global healthcare company focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing, and marketing pharmaceutical products, particularly in diabetes, oncology, immunology, neurodegeneration, and pain [5]

Investment Thesis - Gold serves as a strategic hedge against inflation and currency devaluation, with recent price movements creating attractive entry points for long-term investors [2][4] - Major gold miners are also involved in the extraction of other essential metals, which have reached all-time highs, further enhancing the investment case for gold and its miners [1][2] Market Performance - Spot gold has surged above summer 2020 highs, achieving its best year since 1979 in 2025, with gold and silver prices increasing by 80% and 209% respectively before a recent selloff [1] - Analysts predict gold could reach $5,000 per ounce by 2026 and $10,000 per ounce by 2028, with long-term expectations ranging between $10,000 and $16,150 over the next decade [3] Central Bank Activity - Central bank gold holdings have increased to nearly 36,200 tonnes, accounting for almost 20% of official reserves, up from around 15% at the end of 2023, indicating a structural shift in reserve holdings [4] - The ongoing diversification away from U.S. dollar reserves has accelerated, creating sustained buying pressure for gold [4] Company Insights - Agnico Eagle Mines Limited is a preferred North American gold producer with a diversified portfolio and a small dividend yield of 0.74% [6][8] - Barrick Gold, formed from a merger with Randgold Resources, is one of the largest gold companies globally, offering a 1.20% dividend yield [9][10] - Franco-Nevada operates as a royalty and streaming company with a debt-free balance sheet and has increased its annual dividend for 18 consecutive years [12][14] - Newmont Corporation is the world's largest gold mining entity, yielding a modest 0.79%, and is considered a timely buy for conservative investors [15][18] - Wheaton Precious Metals, a streaming company, derives approximately 60% of its revenue from silver and 40% from gold, offering a 0.43% dividend [19][20] Investment Vehicles - The SPDR Gold Shares ETF is highlighted as a pure play on gold, holding physical gold bullion, with each share representing one-tenth of an ounce of gold [21]

Core Viewpoint - Werner Enterprises has acquired FirstFleet to enhance its dedicated transportation platform and expand its operational scale, particularly in the eastern U.S. [1] Transaction Overview and Closing - The acquisition was completed on January 27, 2026, for a total of $245 million for 100% equity in FirstFleet, along with an additional $37.8 million for certain real estate assets [2] - The deal was financed through cash reserves, borrowings from Werner's revolving credit facility, and the assumption of certain capital leases [2] Management and Operational Structure - FirstFleet's management will largely remain intact, and it will function as a business unit within Werner's Truckload Transportation Services segment, with results integrated into quarterly reporting [3] FirstFleet Profile and Combined Scale - FirstFleet, founded in 1986 and based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, generated over $615 million in annual revenue for the twelve months ending September 30, 2025, operating around 2,400 tractors and 11,000 trailers [4] - The combined revenue for Werner, post-acquisition, is projected to rise from approximately $3.0 billion to about $3.6 billion, with a fleet of over 9,800 trucks [5] Shift Toward Dedicated and Network Footprint - The acquisition will shift Werner's revenue mix further towards dedicated services, increasing from roughly 43% to approximately 52% of total revenues, while one-way truckload and logistics will account for about 22% and 24%, respectively [6]