Preview of the UK Healthcare Sector Through Five Prominent Stocks, Amidst the Pandemic

Perhaps only one of the few sectors which are in the thick of business activity in these trying times in the United Kingdom is the Healthcare sector. Responsible for keeping the healthcare of the country adequately provisioned, the sector has gained prominence for the country in this trying time. The industry has seen high level of activity as the National Health Services and hospitals across the country cram for more and more medicines, ventilators, testing kits and protective clothing as they wage war against the invading virus that has crippled the British society and its economy same as that of after the world war two. With the fight against the pandemic expected to continue for a few more months to come, the industry will continue to play its part as the soldier and the saviour of the British people.

Below we look at some of the prominent pharmaceutical and healthcare stocks listed on the London Stock Exchange and see how their shares have performed in the past one and half months ever since the country entered the pandemic virus phase.

1. Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc - Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc (LON:HIK) is the United Kingdom domiciled pharmaceuticals company engaged in the R&D, production, and marketing of, branded generic as well as in-licensed pharmaceutical products of all forms. The company’s products are divided into three segments, namely Generics, Injectables and Branded. The company operates worldwide with the United States, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Africa being the major markets.

After the outbreak of the pandemic, the company has issued a revenue warning and stated that it expected its revenues to be negligibly impacted during the year.

Since February 17^th of this year till the time it was last reported today at 10.09 am on 2^nd of April the shares of the company has reported a gain in its value of 12.69 per cent and at the time were trading at GBX 2115.00 on the London Stock Exchange

2. GlaxoSmithKline Plc - Glaxo SmithKline Plc(LON:GSK) is the United Kingdom based global pharmaceutical major. The company makes a wide variety of medicines and vaccines and its products feature in the WHO list of essential medicines. The company has its presence all across the world and is amongst the top ten largest global pharma companies. The shares GlaxoSmithKline Plc are listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange, where they are identified and traded with the ticker name GSK and are also forming part of the FTSE 100 index.

The company had issued a revenue warning of around 1 to 4 percent during the year on account of the pandemic as well as from the expiry of few of its patent protection this year.

Since February 17^th of this year till the time it was last reported today at 10.09 am on 2^nd of April the shares of the company have lost value of around 11.23 per cent and at the time of writing were trading at GBX 1475.00 on the London Stock Exchange.

3. AstraZeneca Plc - AstraZeneca PLC (LON:AZN) is a British pharmaceutical company that is involved in the development production, commercialization and marketing of prescription medicines having an international footprint. Headquartered in Cambridge the shares of AstraZeneca Plc are listed on the main market segment of the London Stock Exchange, where they are identified and traded with the ticker name AZN and also form part of the FTSE 100 index on the exchange.

After the outbreak, the company has stated that the pandemic could have a significant impact on its revenues as it has a significant portion of its revenues coming from China.

Since February 17^th of this year till the time of reporting today at 10.09 am on 2^nd of April the shares of the company have improved by 5.74 per cent and at the time of writing were trading at GBX 6953.00 on the London Stock Exchange

4. Smith & Nephew Plc - The United Kingdom based medical technology company, Smith & Nephew PLC (LON: SN.) boasts of its innovation in the field of medical equipment technology. The manufactures and markets equipment’s in three categories of Orthopedic Advanced Wound Management, ENT and Sports Medicine. Founded in 1856 the company’s operations now span in more than a hundred countries and generated total revenue of $5.1 billion for the year 2019. The shares of Smith & Nephew PLC are listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange, where they are identified and traded with the ticker name SN. and are also forming part of the FTSE 100 index

The company though has not issued any official profits warnings for the year, but has stated that its revenue exposure to the Chinese market is just about 7 per cent hence it does not expect much of an impact.

Since February 17^th of this year till the time of reporting today at 10.09 am on 2^nd of April the shares of the company have lost value of 26.36 per cent and at the time were trading at GBX 1347.50 on the London Stock Exchange

5. ConvaTec Group plc - ConvaTec Group Plc (LON:CTEC) is the United Kingdom based Healthcare equipment company that manufactures specialist medical devices that are critical for healthcare and markets across the United Kingdom. The shares of ConvaTec Group Plc are listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange, where they are identified and traded with the ticker name CTEC and are also forming part of the FTSE 250 index.

Regarding the impact of the coronavirus impact on the revenues, the company had earlier stated that since its exposure to the Chinese market in less than one per cent it does not expect a significant impact.

Since February 17^th of this year till the time of writing today at 10.09 am 2^nd of April the shares of the company have lost value of about 17.92 per cent and at the time of writing were trading at GBX 180.00 on the London Stock Exchange

There are a host of other pharma and healthcare stocks to watch out for on the London Stock Exchange who are in the thick of activity amidst the current healthcare crisis. The current trading performances of the companies are more of a reflection of the general trading conditions in the market rather than their individual business performance.

Disclaimer

The website has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used as a complete source of information on any particular company. The above article is NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold the stock of the company (or companies) under discussion. Kalkine does not in any way endorse or recommend individuals, products or services that may be discussed on this site.