Topic: How To Invest

Q: Hi, Pat. What do you think of iShares Global Healthcare ETF as an investment to profit from the rising demand for healthcare? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

A: Three main factors continue to drive demand for healthcare products and services: the rapid aging of the population in developed countries; the expansion of medical services in developing countries; and significant new developments in the field of medical technology and innovation. The iShares Global Healthcare ETF, $80.06, symbol IXJ on New York (Units outstanding: 35.3 million; Market cap: $2.8 billion; www.ishares.com/us), invests globally in healthcare companies. The fund tracks the S&P Global Healthcare Index. Companies in the portfolio include manufacturers and distributors of pharmaceutical and biotech products (64% of assets), but also makers of healthcare equipment (36%). The ETF invests globally, although the U.S. makes up 68.9% of its assets. Switzerland (8.9% of assets), Japan (5.8%), the U.K. (3.8%), and Denmark (2.7%) also represent significant holdings. The fund’s top investments are in Johnson & Johnson (U.S., 6.5%), United Health Group (U.S., 5.7%), Roche (Switzerland, 3.6%), Abbott Laboratories (U.S., 3.4%), Novartis (Switzerland, 3.3%), Pfizer (U.S., 3.2%), Thermo Fisher Scientific (U.S., 3.0%), Merck (U.S., 3.0%),…