For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – November 22, 2019 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Jounce Therapeutics Inc. JNCE, BioDelivery Sciences International Inc. BDSI, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Inc. IRWD, Osmotica Pharmaceuticals plc OSMT and Select Medical Holdings Corp. SEM.
Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:
Healthcare Sector Outperforming: 5 Best Stocks, Quarter to Date
Healthcare, which registered its second-worst performance among the 11 major S&P 500 sectors this year, bounced back with an outperformance starting the fourth quarter. This is primarily owing to successive positive news including trial results, deal activities and better-than-expected earnings. Further, uncertainty over trade lent a boost to the sector given its non-cyclical nature, which in turn, provides a cushion to its portfolio.
Moreover, the sector is clearly benefiting from encouraging trends including new drug approvals, an accelerated pace of innovation, promising drug launches, growing importance of biosimilars, cost-cutting efforts, an aging population, expanding insurance coverage, the rising middleclass, insatiable demand for new drug, and an ever-increasing health care spending (read: Top & Flop ETFs Halfway Through Q4).
Additionally, the health care sector is placed at the top 7% of 16 Zacks sectors with more than 80% of the industries having a top Zacks Industry Rank. This indicates optimism surrounding the sector.
In light of this, we choose five healthcare stocks that are leading the market so far this quarter. These could be excellent plays for investors if similar trends continue.
Jounce Therapeutics Inc. — Up 49.9%
This clinical-stage immunotherapy company is engaged in developing therapies, which enable the immune system to attack tumors. The stock has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and a VGM Score of B. It has a market cap of $170.5 million. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
BioDelivery Sciences International Inc. — Up 49.9%
It is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of treatments in the areas of pain management and drug addiction. With a market cap of $550.6 million, the stock has a Zacks Rank #2 and a VGM Score of B.
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Inc. — Up 37.5%
This commercial biotechnology company is engaged in research, development and commercialization of human therapeutic products. It has a Zacks Rank #1 and a VGM Score of B. The stock has a market cap of $1.8 billion (read: Biotech ETFs in Focus on Impressive Q3 Earnings Results).
Osmotica Pharmaceuticals plc — Up 31.5%
This biopharmaceutical company offers tablets, dietary supplements and drugs for the treatment of women’s health. With a market cap of $275.6 million, it has a Zacks Rank #2 and a VGM Score of A.
Select Medical Holdings Corp. — Up 28.8%
This company operates critical illness recovery hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation clinics and occupational health centers in the United States. The stock has a Zacks Rank of 1 and a VGM Score of A. It has a market cap of $2.9 billion.
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BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (BDSI): Free Stock Analysis Report
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (IRWD): Free Stock Analysis Report
Select Medical Holdings Corporation (SEM): Free Stock Analysis Report
Jounce Therapeutics, Inc. (JNCE): Free Stock Analysis Report
OSMOTICA PHARM (OSMT): Free Stock Analysis Report
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