Core Insights - Healthcare investing is characterized by defensive traits during market volatility, but regulatory and political risks can lead to abrupt selloffs [1] - Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF (FHLC) offers a low-cost entry point for investors seeking exposure to the healthcare sector without selecting individual stocks [1] Fund Overview - FHLC tracks the MSCI USA IMI Health Care Index, providing exposure to U.S. healthcare companies across various segments including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, and health insurance [2] - The fund has an expense ratio of 0.084% and includes over 80 holdings, focusing on capital appreciation and modest dividend income [2] Concentration Risk - Eli Lilly constitutes over 13% of FHLC's portfolio, linking its performance closely to GLP-1 obesity drugs, which have seen a 46% increase in stock price over the past year [3] - The top five holdings also include UnitedHealth, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and AbbVie [3] Performance Analysis - FHLC has shown strong short-term performance, gaining 5.3% in the last month and 17.9% over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 [4] - However, over five years, FHLC returned 42.6%, significantly lagging behind the S&P 500's 84.5% return, with a widening gap over ten years (154% vs. 235%) [4] Sector Challenges - The underperformance of FHLC reflects broader challenges in the healthcare sector, including drug pricing pressures and slower innovation cycles outside oncology and rare diseases [5] - Recent momentum may indicate potential sector rotation, but investing after outperformance carries inherent risks [5] Policy and Income Considerations - Investors face political and regulatory uncertainties, with an 87.5% probability that enhanced ACA premium tax credits will expire by January 2026, impacting health insurers like UnitedHealth [7] - FHLC's yield of 1.33% is considered modest compared to other market alternatives, with dividend growth of approximately 4.6% annually over five years, barely keeping pace with inflation [8] Suitability for Investors - Growth-focused investors seeking maximum capital appreciation may find FHLC unsuitable due to its long-term underperformance [9] - Retirees prioritizing income generation may also find better yield opportunities in other sectors without sacrificing stability [9] Alternative Options - Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) is presented as an alternative, with a slightly higher expense ratio of 0.09%, larger asset base of $20.4 billion, and a higher dividend yield of 1.38% [11] - VHT's longer track record since 2004 and superior liquidity may provide additional confidence for long-term investors [11] Tactical Allocation - FHLC may serve as a tactical allocation for investors seeking low-cost exposure to the healthcare sector, but concentration risk and historical underperformance necessitate careful position sizing [12]

Key Takeaways If you're planning to buy or have already bought health insurance off the exchange this year, your premiums may have surged. And if you're not careful, you could be on the hook for a huge tax bill next year. At the start of the year, enhanced premium tax credits, a type of subsidy for Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums, expired. These temporary subsidies were enacted in 2021 and reduced the cost of health insurance premiums for those making more than 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL)—or ...

Core Viewpoint - Humana Inc. is set to release its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2025 on February 11, 2026, along with management remarks in PDF format [1] Financial Results Announcement - The financial results will be available at 6:00 a.m. Eastern time on the specified date [1] - A live question-and-answer session will take place at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss the quarterly results and earnings guidance for 2026 [1] Access to Information - A webcast of the 4Q25 earnings call can be accessed through Humana's Investor Relations page [1]

Health insurance company, Oscar Health Inc. (NYSE:OSCR) is up 6.69% in after-hours trading on Thursday, at $18.04 per share. The company, founded by Joshua Kushner and backed by his brother Jared Kushner, who is also the son-in-law and former senior advisor to President Donald Trump, was up 2.55% during the regular session on Thursday, closing at $16.90 per share, according to Benzinga Pro data.Affordable Care Act Extension Sparks RallyThis sharp spike in the stock comes after the U.S. House of Representati ...

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) is included among the 12 Best DOW Stocks to Buy in 2026. UnitedHealth (UNH) Poised to Benefit as Investor Focus Shifts Away From AI, Says Barclays On January 5, Barclays analyst Andrew Mok raised his price target on UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) to $391 from $386 and kept an Overweight rating. The firm expects managed care stocks to benefit in 2026 as margins recover and investor attention shifts away from artificial intelligence names toward stocks ...

UnitedHealth’s share price traced a steep descent through 2025, collapsing to five-year lows of $234.60 in August as selling pressure overwhelmed sentiment. Since then, the stock has staged a measured recovery, rebounding nearly 46.7% from those depths, though it remains down about 34% over the past year.UnitedHealthcare forms the foundation, providing health insurance coverage to millions and delivering scale and stable revenue. Optum complements this with growth-driven capabilities across healthcare servi ...

Among the Dow Jones Industrial Average's 30 time-tested components, there are two inexpensive industry leaders that can deliver for patient investors, as well as a highflier that may struggle to justify its premium valuation.It was another historic year for Wall Street's premier health barometer, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI +0.99%). The iconic index rose 13% last year and came within a stone's throw of eclipsing 49,000.In the 129 years since its inception, the Dow Jones has evolved from an indust ...

The company is a powerhouse in its sector, and has weathered numerous challenges recently.This is the time of year when market professionals and investors alike pore over lists of top analyst stock picks. One big company that appeared in such a lineup was UnitedHealth (UNH +2.03%), and in the process, its shares received a price target boost. That helped lift the stock by 2% on Tuesday. A healthy adjustmentThe UnitedHealth bull in this case is Bernstein SocGen's Lance Wilkes. Tuesday morning before market o ...

A new report from Hunterbrook Media investigates how the three biggest health care giants in the U.S.— CVS Health Corp. (NASDAQ:CVS) , UnitedHealth Group, Inc. (NYSE:UNH) and Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) — are allegedly using shell companies to hide billions of dollars that Hunterbrook says should be used to lower drug prices for patients.UNH stock is moving. See the chart and price action here. Benzinga reached out to CVS, Cigna and UnitedHealth for comment. CVS declined to comment, while Cigna and UnitedHealth d ...

Key Takeaways CI is positioned for growth driven by new business and deeper client relationships at Evernorth.CI's 2025 earnings estimate points to 8.4% growth, with revenues expected to rise over 10%.CI returns capital through buybacks and dividends, supported by strong cash flow.The Cigna Group (CI) is well poised to grow on the back of new business and client relationship expansion in the Evernorth Health Services unit. Strategic focus shift, strong cash generating ability, shareholder value-boosting eff ...