Hello Pat: I look forward to your advice for investors and find it a very valuable source for do it yourself investors. I would like your advice on how to get exposure to the health-care industry. I do own Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, but would like to be more exposed. Should I add more pharmaceuticals? Thank you in advance.
We still feel that the major drug companies are more speculative than most investors realize. They need a steady flow of successful new products to maintain their earnings. As well, as their drugs come off patent, they face increasing litigation and aggressive competition from generics. Unlike tech stocks, drug companies must deal with formidable regulatory burdens. And unlike other manufacturing stocks such as, say, auto companies, they do not benefit from customer loyalty.
Instead, consider adding a medical-equipment stock. Demand for medical equipment tends to grow, or at least hold steady, regardless of swings in the overall economy. Many of these firms also get recurring revenue, mainly from long-time customers. They also face little competition from generic products.
One of our favourite stocks in the medical-equipment area is Beckman Coulter, $69.96, symbol BEC on New York (Shares outstanding: 68.5 million; Market cap: $4.8 billion). Beckman makes laboratory instruments and related products. These involve fewer risks than drugs.
Beckman Coulter is a..
Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
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Does TSI Network Use the Information It Receives?
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Changes to this Policy
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Legal Notices and Disclaimers
The contents of this web site and our publications are based upon sources of information believed to be reliable, but no warranty or representation, expressed or implied, is given as to their accuracy or completeness. Any opinion reflects the Successful Investor’s judgment at the date of publication and neither the Successful Investor, nor any of its affiliated companies, nor any of their officers, directors or employees, accepts any responsibility in respect of the information or recommendations contained in the publications or on this web site. Moreover, the information or recommendations are subject to change without notice.
Information presented on this web site or contained in our publications is not an offer, nor a solicitation, to buy or sell any securities referred to on the web site or in the publications. The material is general information intended for recipients who understand the risks associated with an investment in any securities referred to in the publications or on this web site. The Successful Investor has made no determination regarding whether an investment, course of action, or associated risks are suitable for the recipient.
