ASX 200 healthcare shares are in the red with the rest of the market on Friday.
The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) is down 1.53% while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 0.53%. This follows a subdued session on Wall Street overnight after yesterday's exuberance.
Here, we canvas expert opinions on three of the largest and most popular ASX 200 healthcare stocks on the market today.
Expert verdicts on 3 top ASX 200 healthcare shares
CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)
CSL is the biggest ASX 200 healthcare share by far, with a market capitalisation of $138.67 billion.
The CSL share price is $281.38, down 1.94% at the time of writing and down 7.5% over the past 12 months.
Jed Richards of Shaw and Partners has a buy rating on CSL shares.
He told The Bull this week:
This well managed blood products company offers compelling long-term tailwinds.
CSL is steadily growing its dividend stream. The company usually under-promises and over-delivers when it comes to profit. The stock has underperformed on the back of a slower recovery in margins.
Also behind a weaker share price was a phase 3 study which found its CSL112 drug was unable meet its primary efficacy endpoint of reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients at 90 days following a first heart attack.
The recent share price presents an attractive entry level for investors.
Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)
Sonic Healthcare is the fifth largest ASX 200 healthcare stock with a market cap of $12.99 billion.
The Sonic Healthcare share price is $26.99, down 0.19% now and down 24.4% over the past 12 months.
Toby Grimm of Baker Young has a hold rating on Sonic Healthcare shares.
Grimm says:
Australia's largest pathology testing firm remains out of favour as it loses prior windfall COVID-19 revenues amid an elevated operating cost environment.
However, we see fiscal year 2024 as the low point for earnings. Moving forward, we expect growth across its global core business as a prime reason to consider holding the stock.
Resmed CDI (ASX: RMD)
Resmed is the third biggest ASX 200 healthcare share with a market cap of $21.12 billion.
The Resmed share price is $32.99, down 0.33% now and down 3.74% over the past 12 months.
Grimm has a sell rating on Resmed shares.
He explains:
The sleep apnoea device maker delivered impressive third quarter results in fiscal year 2024. RMD's share price has surged relative to the market and its peers.
While long term growth is likely, the impact from new weight loss drugs remains uncertain, so we suggest investors consider reducing exposure and cashing in some gains.
