ASX healthcare shares are an interesting sector to look at for investment opportunities. Not only do many businesses in the industry offer defensive shares, but they are also benefiting from long-term growth.
Investment group Blackrock recently commented on its investment thoughts for 2023, saying:
In equities, we believe recession isn't fully reflected in corporate earnings expectations or valuations – and we disagree with market assumptions that central banks will eventually turn supportive with rate cuts. We look to lean into sectoral opportunities from structural transitions – such as healthcare amid aging populations – as a way to add granularity even as we stay overall underweight.
We like healthcare given appealing valuations and likely cashflow resilience during downturns.
Here are three ASX healthcare shares that could benefit from growing demand for healthcare:
Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)
Pro Medicus describes itself as a leading healthcare informatics company. It provides a "full range of medical imaging software and services to hospitals, imaging centres and healthcare groups worldwide".
Visage Imaging is a medical imaging solution business. Its platform is "ultra-fast, clinically rich, and highly scalable", the company says.
It is benefiting from society's desire for increasing technological abilities to help medical practitioners and patients.
The ASX healthcare share is winning major new contracts as well as renewing existing contracts. One of the most promising factors about the renewals is that they are being negotiated at a higher transaction cost than the original pay-per-view contract. An example of this was the University of Florida, seven-year, $15.5 million renewed contract.
Over the last six months, the Pro Medicus share price has gone up by 50%. However, according to Commsec, the Pro Medicus share price is valued at 109 times FY23's estimated earnings.
Volpara Health Technologies Ltd (ASX: VHT)
Volpara predominately aims to help save families from breast cancer, with "advanced cancer screening science and protocols". It's focused on detection and increasing prevention for women while digitising and reducing waste for medical professionals.
The company said in its FY22 half-year result that approximately 40.5% of screened women in the US have had contact with at least one Volpara product in obtaining their images and data. In HY22, operating expenses only increased by 3.4%, while revenue grew by 37%.
The ASX healthcare share is aiming to grow its average revenue per user (ARPU) to have more Volpara products used on patient images. The company is also looking to reach operating cash flow breakeven by the fourth quarter of FY24.
After a 41% fall of the Volpara share price in 2022, it's now at a much cheaper level than it was in 2021 despite its ongoing revenue growth. The business is also working on growing its presence in lung cancer screening.
Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)
Sonic Healthcare is a leading pathology and radiology business on the ASX. The advancement of technology is enabling the company to provide a more detailed pathology service for patients and medical practitioners.
Its base revenue continues to grow. Geographic expansion, as well as wider service offers, can be a tailwind for the ASX healthcare share.
One of the intriguing elements of Sonic's business is the 20% investment in artificial intelligence (AI) business Harrison.ai, which has an existing radiology AI product called Annalise.ai. This is a market leader in radiology AI, according to Sonic. A brain CT scan product has also been completed, with tools for other modalities to follow.
Franklin.ai is a joint venture between Sonic and Harrison.ai to develop 'best-in-class' diagnostic tools for pathology. It's targeting a first product release within two years.
The Sonic Healthcare share price is down over 30% in 2022 to date. According to Commsec, this puts the business at 19 times FY23's estimated earnings.
