One area of the market which I think has outstanding long term growth potential is the healthcare sector.
This is due to the growing demand for healthcare services globally because of ageing populations and increasing chronic disease burden.
In light of this, I think investing in the healthcare sector with a long term view could result in strong returns over the next decade.
Three healthcare shares that I would buy are listed below:
Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH)
One healthcare share to consider buying is Cochlear. It is a leading developer, manufacturer, and distributor of cochlear implantable devices for the hearing impaired globally. Its shares have provided market-beating returns for investors over the last decade and I believe it is well-placed to do the same over the next decade. This is thanks to its position as a leader in a structural growth market which has high barriers to entry and attractive demographics. According to the WHO, it has forecast there to be 1.5 billion people over the age of 65 by 2050, up from 524 million in 2010. I believe this bodes well for the company's future growth.
CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)
Another healthcare share to consider buying is CSL. I believe the quality of the biotherapeutics company's management team and its CSL Behring and Seqirus businesses means there's a strong probability of its shares being market beaters again over the next 10 years. CSL Behring is the global leader in plasma therapies and Seqirus is the second biggest in the influenza vaccines industry. I feel both businesses have outstanding long-term growth prospects due to their leading products and potentially lucrative development pipelines.
Nanosonics Ltd (ASX: NAN)
Nanosonics is an infection control specialist which I think could be a great long term investment. It is best-known as the company behind the industry-leading trophon EPR disinfection system for ultrasound probes. While I think this product alone has the potential to underpin solid earnings growth over the coming years, I'm excited also by the upcoming launch of several new products targeting unmet needs. If these are half as successful as the trophon EPR disinfection system, then Nanosonics will have a very bright future.
