BLU, VMD, FRX, CPH & TH: 5 TSX healthcare stocks beating the odds

May 06, 2022 08:04 AM EDT | By Sundeep Radesh
Follow us on Google News:

Highlights

  • The S&P/TSX Capped Health Care Index has lost 26 per cent year-to-date (YTD)
  • About 15.6 per cent of Canadians were aged 65 years and older in 2014 and this number is expected to surge by over 50 per cent come 2030
  • Some investors look at Canada’s healthcare sector with a view that it is only inevitable that revenues will increase given the age demographics of the country

The healthcare sector was catapulted into the limelight with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic as they rushed to come up and win approval to various solutions to deal with the virus.

However, now it seems like the pandemic is all but receded and reportedly, even leaders in Shanghai are convinced the outbreak is near to being contained.

Like most other sectors, 2022 has not gone well for Canadian healthcare stocks. Currently, the S&P/TSX Capped Health Care Index has lost 26 per cent year-to-date (YTD).

That said, Canada is an aging country, and its citizens will need medical care as well as meds. Canada has one of the best life expectancies in the world and it keeps increasing.

About 15.6 per cent of Canadians were aged 65 years and older in 2014 and this number is expected to surge by 50 per cent come 2030. So, let us look at some TSX-listed healthcare stocks that are beating the odds in this bearish phase.

BELLUS Health Inc (TSX:BLU)

BLU closed the trading session Thursday, May 5, at C$10.72. The stock’s gain so far in 2022 is 5.4 per cent, but over nine months it has gained 174 per cent.

Furthermore, it is up 24 per cent in the last three months including 4.5 per cent over the last week.

Also read: WEED, TLRY, ACB, OGI & CRON: 5 TSX pot stocks SAFE Act may benefit 

Viemed Healthcare Inc (TSX:VMD)

The stock of Viemed closed out Thursday at C$7.02 and it is up 6.4 per cent on a YTD basis. Over the last 12 months it has lost 41 per cent.

But in the more near past, it has been gaining. It’s 52-week low came on March 7 when it touched C$4.53 at which point it was likely undervalued.

The stock is up 22 per cent in three months and about eight per cent in the last week alone. Its price-to-earnings ratio is 24.8.

The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio indicates how much an investor is paying for every dollar of earnings generated.

Also read: ENB, GEI, TRP, PPL & SU: 5 TSX stocks that are passive income machines 

Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc (TSX:FRX)

FRX at market close Thursday stood at C$7.50. It is up 34 per cent YTD and 27 per cent of that came in the last three months.

The stock experienced a sudden fall in November 2021 when it fell over 76 per cent in four days and so can be said to have experienced volatility.

However, so far this year its trajectory has generally been upward, recovering from that, and currently, it is in the green compared to 12 months ago by 0.67 per cent.

Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc (TSX:CPH)

CPH closed Thursday at C$2.36. It has risen 33 per cent this year of which 31 per cent has come in the last month and about eight per cent in the last week.

Over the last year, it has gained 65 per cent, its one-year low of C$1.27 coming way back on May 12, 2021.

It has the best P/E ratio of this lot and that currently stands at 6.7.

Also read: ARX, VET, POU, BIR & NVA: 5 TSX stocks may gain on EU Russian oil-ban

Theratechnologies Inc (TSX:TH)

TH is the only stock here that is in the red YTD as well as over the past three months. TH has lost 18 per cent this year and 21.7 per cent over the last three months.

However, it is featured on this list because it has zoomed about six per cent in the last week. It closed the day Thursday at C$3.13 after having rebounded about 18 per cent from its 52-week low of C$2.66 on May 2.

BLU, VMD, FRX, CPH & TH: 5 TSX healthcare stocks beating the odds

Also read: BQE, WJX, RUS, SES & CGY: 5 Canadian industrial stocks to buy now?

Bottom line

Some of these companies are experiencing losses which is why their P/E ratios are in negative territory. But loss quarters can happen with clinical-stage companies before their therapy, technology or drug is approved.

Many investors look at Canada’s healthcare sector with a view that it is only inevitable that revenues will increase given the age demographics of the country. Such an approach would suggest a mid- to long-term strategy.

Also read: How does current inflation compare to 1970s stagflation? 

Please note, the above content constitutes a very preliminary observation based on the industry, and is of limited scope without any in-depth fundamental valuation or technical analysis. Any interest in stocks or sectors should be thoroughly evaluated taking into consideration the associated risks. 


Disclaimer

The content, including but not limited to any articles, news, quotes, information, data, text, reports, ratings, opinions, images, photos, graphics, graphs, charts, animations and video (Content) is a service of Kalkine Media Incorporated (Kalkine Media), Business Number: 720744275BC0001 and is available for personal and non-commercial use only. The advice given by Kalkine Media through its Content is general information only and it does not take into account the user’s personal investment objectives, financial situation and specific needs. Users should make their own enquiries about any investment and Kalkine Media strongly suggests the users to seek advice from a financial adviser, stockbroker or other professional (including taxation and legal advice), as necessary. Kalkine Media is not registered as an investment adviser in Canada under either the provincial or territorial Securities Acts. Some of the Content on this website may be sponsored/non-sponsored, as applicable, however, on the date of publication of any such Content, none of the employees and/or associates of Kalkine Media hold positions in any of the stocks covered by Kalkine Media through its Content. Kalkine Media hereby disclaims any and all the liabilities to any user for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising from any use of the Content on this website, which is provided without warranties. The views expressed in the Content by the guests, if any, are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Kalkine Media. Some of the images/music that may be used in the Content are copyright to their respective owner(s). Kalkine Media does not claim ownership of any of the pictures displayed/music used in the Content unless stated otherwise. The images/music that may be used in the Content are taken from various sources on the internet, including paid subscriptions or are believed to be in public domain. We have used reasonable efforts to accredit the source wherever it was indicated or was found to be necessary.



Top TSX Listed Companies

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. OK