Key trends will spur these healthcare stocks

Article Excerpt

The pandemic presented both of these firms with unique challenges. However, each remained profitable and is now well positioned to keep prospering. Trends underway as well as the strong position of each firm in its key markets will power future gains. Both of these leaders are buys. ALCON, $85.54, is a buy. The firm (New York symbol ALC; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (www.alcon.com; Shares outstanding: 499.7 million; Market cap: $42.3 billion; Dividend yield 0.3%) is the world’s biggest eye-care company. Specifically, it’s the leader in ocular surgical supplies and No. 2 in contact lenses. While Alcon is based in Switzerland, it is headed by an American, reports its results in U.S. dollars, and gets 40% of its sales in that market. In the quarter ended September 30, 2024, Alcon’s revenue rose 5.6%, to $2.43 billion from $2.30 billion. Per-share earnings in the third quarter, excluding one-time items, rose 22.7%, to $0.81 from $0.66. Meanwhile, Alcon spends a high 10% of its sales on research, which makes…