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Market Daily Report: Bursa Malaysia Ends Nearly Flat As Construction Stocks Attract Buying

 KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed almost flat on Tuesday as buying interest rotated away from index heavyweights towards smaller-cap construction stocks, with sentiment affected by geopolitical uncertainty, said an analyst. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 0.39 of a point to 1,714.40 from Monday’s close of 1,714.79. The benchmark index opened 1.65 points lower at 1,713.14 and moved between 1,710.44 and 1,714.50 throughout the trading session. The broader market was almost evenly balanced, with decliners leading gainers 548 to 546, while 598 counters were unchanged, 1,107 were untraded and 25 were suspended. Turnover expanded to 4.13 billion units valued at RM3.14 billion from 3.60 billion units valued at RM2.45 billion on Monday.

CIMB Backs IHH as Top Healthcare Pick, Flags KPJ’s Regulatory Risks

IHH Seen as Sector Leader CIMB Securities has reaffirmed  IHH Healthcare Bhd (KL:IHH)  as its top choice in the healthcare sector, citing the group’s diversified international operations as a key strength against Malaysia’s regulatory headwinds. In a note on Friday, the research house highlighted IHH’s  attractive valuation , resilient earnings profile, and strong recovery prospects, particularly in Singapore. The division is expected to deliver a meaningful rebound in  4Q2025 , following the completion of renovation works at Mount Elizabeth by the third quarter. “We like IHH for its execution strategy, established regional footprint, and focus on high-income clients, which collectively support earnings resilience,” CIMB said. Regulatory Pressures in Malaysia Malaysia’s private healthcare sector has faced  margin pressure in 1H2025 , driven by tighter insurer reimbursement terms. Inpatient visit growth contracted to low single digits, with CIMB expecting payor p...

China Healthcare Stocks Shine as Liquidity and Earnings Outlook Improve

Positive fundamentals, easing bets, and innovation trends drive investor interest China’s healthcare sector is regaining investor attention, buoyed by  improving liquidity ,  stronger fundamentals , and a favorable macro backdrop. Analysts remain optimistic, citing  a potential earnings beat in 3Q25  and a sustained recovery in  in-hospital prescription volumes . Macro Tailwinds: Policy & Liquidity Shifts Support Upside Weaker US jobs data  has raised expectations for global monetary easing in 2H25, offering further support for defensive growth sectors like healthcare. US drug pricing concerns , including the potential return of the  Most Favored Nation policy , and  centralized biosimilar procurement in Anhui , are viewed as manageable, with limited near-term sector impact. Uncertainty surrounding  US Treasury markets  may trigger a shift in global capital flows toward  healthcare equities , especially those linked to innovatio...

Healthcare Earnings Week: Key Questions for CVS, UnitedHealth, Merck, Humana, and More

The healthcare sector heads into one of its busiest earnings weeks in a deep slump. The  S&P 500 Health Care Sector Index  is down 9% in the past year, while managed-care stocks have plunged 50%. Drugmakers and biotech have also struggled, trailing the broader S&P 500’s 17% gain. Who Reports This Week? Tuesday:  UnitedHealth (UNH), Merck (MRK) Wednesday:  Humana (HUM), AbbVie (ABBV) Thursday:  Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY), CVS Health (CVS) Friday:  Moderna (MRNA) Next Week:  Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer 4 Big Questions Investors Are Asking: 1️⃣  Can UnitedHealth Recover Under New Leadership? CEO Andrew Witty stepped down; Stephen Helmsley returns to lead. The company pulled its full-year guidance after a 27% stock plunge in April tied to Medicare Advantage woes. Analysts expect new guidance between  $18–$19 EPS , far below last year’s $27.66. 2️⃣  Will Pharma Weather Tariff Risks? Trump signaled  pharma-specific tariffs ...

Healthcare Sector Remains Robust Despite Near-Term Concerns

RHB Investment Bank  has maintained its  OVERWEIGHT  call on Malaysia's  healthcare facilities and services sector , naming  KPJ Healthcare Bhd  as its top pick. Despite some short-term challenges, including softer numbers in Q1 2025 due to Ramadan, RHB remains optimistic about the sector's long-term prospects. Growth Drivers for Healthcare Providers RHB's positive outlook is driven by several key factors, including: Organic expansion strategies The growing prevalence of  non-communicable diseases (NCDs) The impact of an  ageing population These trends are expected to support sustained growth in the sector, even as short-term challenges arise. KPJ Healthcare's Strong Performance KPJ Healthcare  stands out, with strong contributions from  health tourism  and improved operational efficiency, particularly from hospitals under development. One of the standout performers,  Damansara Specialist Hospital 2 (DSH2) , has seen a dramatic...