Schaeffer's Top Stock Picks for '25

Why the Health-Care Sector is One to Watch

The Health Care SPDR (ETF) (XLV) and sector component Illumina, Inc. (ILMN) have been technical outperformers

Feb 6, 2015 at 10:38 AM
facebook X logo linkedin


The health-care sector has put in a strong performance over the past 52 weeks, as evidenced by the price action in the Health Care SPDR (ETF) (NYSEARCA:XLV). Year-over-year, this exchange-traded fund (ETF) has tacked on more than 25% -- and based on its current perch at $70.53, is within a stone's throw of its Dec. 8 all-time peak of $71.43.

What's more, of the 35 stocks that fall under our health-care umbrella, 80% are currently trading above their 80-day trendlines, and have averaged a 52-week gain of 24.3%. In spite of this, only 58% of covering analysts maintain a "buy" rating, and it would take more than a week to cover all of the shorted shares, at average daily trading volumes. Should XLV continue its longer-term trajectory -- perhaps amid another batch of well-received M&A news -- a round of upgrades and/or some short-covering activity could help propel the ETF higher.

Drilling down on specific names, San Diego-based medical equipment manufacturer Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) has been charting a path steadily higher for some time. On a year-over-year basis, the shares have tacked on 24% to trade at $194.57.

More recently, the equity pulled back to its rising 80-day moving average after hitting a record peak of $213.33 on Jan. 28 -- a trendline that has served as a springboard for the shares in the past. In fact, according to Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White, in the 10 other times this signal has occurred over the past three years, ILMN has gone on to average a 21-day gain of 4.7%, and has been positive 78% of the time.

Daily Chart of ILMN Since February 2014 With 80-Day Moving Average

The stock could get an additional boost, too, should it receive more upbeat analyst attention, or if some of the weaker bearish hands capitulate to its upward momentum. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), ILMN's 50-day put/call volume ratio of 0.95 ranks in the 99th annual percentile. Simply stated, puts have been bought to open over calls with more rapidity just 1% of the time within the past year.

Echoing this put-skewed bias is the equity's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 2.36. Not only does this show that put open interest more than doubles call open interest among options set to expire in three months or less, but it ranks higher than 98% of similar readings taken in the past year. In other words, short-term speculators have rarely been as put-heavy toward Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) as they are now.

 
 

You have the chance to join one of Bernie's most exclusive programs, complete access at HUGE savings!

As we prepare for a new administration to take the reins in Washington, the near-term market landscape is rife with uncertainty.

The Federal Reserve has already hinted at the turbulence ahead, lowering its interest rate outlook for 2025.

Meanwhile, breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and other transformative sectors have unlocked incredible profit potential.

But these opportunities are fleeting, and timing is everything. That's where Quick-Hit Trader comes in.

Quick-Hit Trader is designed for precision and speed, getting you in and out of the market in a flash. While other investors scramble to navigate volatile conditions, you'll have access to expertly curated trades that leverage these rapid shifts to deliver explosive profits in short order.

This is your chance to capitalize on the fast-moving market like never before. Are you ready to make your move?