From FPH, RMD to COH: How are these healthcare giants faring on ASX

Hightlights: 

• The S&P/ASX 200 closed lower on Thursday (18 August 2022) dropping 0.21% to 7,112.80 points.
• Of all the 11 significant sectors on the ASX 200 index, 8 ended lower. Health Care was the best performing sector, closing the day 1.11% higher.
• Heath Care sector has been on investors’ radar of late and here we have discussed some of the most renowned ASX stocks pertaining to the sector.

The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care sector (INDEXASX:XHJ) ended Wednesday’s trading session in green territory as the sector closed at 43,617 points, up 479.4 points or 1.111% on the ASX (18 August 2022).

In a time span of a year, the Health Care sector has shed off by almost 7% on the ASX. Meanwhile, the sector’s year-to-date fall is almost 6% as of today.

Here, we have discussed performances of some leading ASX-listed healthcare stocks, such as Fisher & Paykel, Ramsay, ResMed, Sonic Healthcare and Cochlear Limited.  

Updates on Monkeypox in Australia: 

One of the major concerns in Australia, apart from the rising inflation and COVID-19, is increasing cases of Monkeypox. The threat of Monkeypox is becoming more serious with every passing day in Australia as Australia reported 70 confirmed cases of the disease exactly a week back. 

Monkeypox is a highly contagious disease that causes rashes all over the body. These rashes slowly turn into fluid or pus-filled lesions. There are several symptoms of this disease, including fever, weakness, headache, body ache, and swollen lymph nodes.

As per some media reports, confirmed cases of Monkeypox are constantly increasing in the country. Recently, South Australia reported a new case of Monkeypox in a man who had returned from another country. He has been kept in isolation. The man was in close contact with two other individuals, and both have been advised to take the Monkeypox vaccine by the South Australia Health department.

 Image source: © Scaliger | Megapixl.com

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Limited (ASX:FPH) 

Medical device manufacturer Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Limited (ASX:FPH) shares closed in red territory after losing marginally on the ASX today. Fisher & Paykel’s share price stood at AU$19.140 per share, down 1.543% per share on the ASX.

The company’s share price has declined by almost 41% on the ASX in a year. Furthermore, Fisher & Paykel’s YTD-based share price fell by 38.5% by the end of today’s trading session on the ASX.

Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX:RHC) 

Renowned global hospital group Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX:RHC) ended today’s trading session in the red territory. Ramsay’s share price stood at AU$72.28 per share after shedding off 2.006% on the ASX on Thursday.

Ramsay’s share price has registered a gain of almost 9% on the ASX in a year. On the other hand, Ramsay’s YTD-based share price gained by 0.57% as of today on the ASX.

Sonic Healthcare Limited (ASX:SHL)

The largest medical diagnostic firm, Sonic Healthcare Limited (ASX:SHL), closed today’s trading session after marking a loss of 0.872% on the ASX today. Sonic’s share price stood at AU$34.1 on the ASX by the end of today’s trading session.

Sonic’s share price has marked a loss of around 20% on the ASX in a year. On the other hand, Sonic’s YTD-based share price fell by almost 26% on the ASX today.

ResMed Inc (ASX:RMD)

Leading medical device manufacturer ResMed Inc (ASX:RMD) shares closed in the green territory today after gaining marginally by 0.117% on the ASX today. ResMed’s share price stood at AU$34.09 at the end of today’s trading session.

The share price of ResMed has declined by 11.84% on the ASX in the last 12 months. On the other hand, ResMed’s YTD-based share price fell by almost 6% on the ASX today.  

Cochlear Limited (ASX:COH) 

Cochlear implant device seller Cochlear Limited (ASX:COH) shares closed today’s trading session in the red territory. Cochlear’s share price stood at AU$214.2 per share after losing 0.58% on the ASX today.

The share price of Cochlear has fallen by 16.36% in last 12 months. On the other hand, Cochlear’s YTD-based share price fell by almost 4% on the ASX today.