When looking for their next significant investment, seasoned investors often fall into the trap of technology. As you can imagine, the technology sector is a prime investment target for those hoping to replicate the success of technology giants. The success it has had so far is one that entices many investors.
As it stands, the technology industry in the UK is worth as much as £764bn, the highest ever recorded that only China and the U.S. have managed to replicate. However, with all this excitement surrounding the tech industry, fewer investors fail to recognise the potential growth the healthcare sector could grant them.
Unlike seasonal businesses, the demand for healthcare products and services is never-ending. In-between vaccines, medicines, surgeries and scans, the healthcare industry is constantly striving to improve the quality of others’ lives. Due to this, it can be challenging to put a price tag on the return investors could make.
Despite often being neglected in favour of the technology sector, the private healthcare sector offers many valuable opportunities for investors with long-term potential. Yet, for those more intrepid investors, you might have doubts about placing your trust in the healthcare sector, which is why we’ve produced this guide to help – keep reading to learn more.
Not A Fool Proof Investment
If you’re a seasoned investor, it goes without saying that investing is a double-ended sword. No matter what you invest your money into, be it technology, healthcare, cryptocurrency, stocks and bonds, no investment you make comes without some degree of risk. Just because you invested in one sector and profited from it doesn’t mean you are immune to more significant losses.
Even though the healthcare sector is considered a ‘safe’ investment opportunity, it still offers some risks. Some of the most common risks within the healthcare sector are as follows:
- Political – While no sector is immune to public opinion, due to the healthcare industry being one of the biggest industries worldwide, it is openly discussed and creates many polarising opinions. Some of the most popular topics that can cause the healthcare industry’s investment market to rise and fall are the price of healthcare. Surprisingly, these political topics affect how much investment investors gain from the healthcare sector, with the potential for more to arise.
- Regulatory – One of the most problematic risks within the healthcare sector is the regulatory risk, which regulates the pricing of drugs and cost control, which are all decided by the government.
- Economic – Many economic problems can also affect the healthcare sectors, from fierce competition between healthcare providers, clinical trial risks, aftermarket data and loss of a patent. All of this can affect the amount your investment returns.
If you’d like to learn more about the risks within the healthcare sector in the hopes of minimising them. You could consider learning more about the sector’s financial models by enrolling in online programmes like the ones from the London School of Economic and Political Science.
From online certificate courses about health economics and policy to modelling cost-effectiveness in healthcare, consider visiting their website to browse their entire online certificate course selection, download prospectuses, read student testimonials, and much more.
The Sector Is Subject To Trends
In today’s business world, trends create business, meaning that companies constantly evolve to keep up with competitors and stay relevant. Companies are always searching for ways to stay ahead of the trends to attract consumers. The healthcare sector is no exception to these trends, having seen some of the biggest trends this year, From the integration of AI technologies, wearable devices, physical/mental health mobile applications, new pricing models, telemedicine, and many more.
One of the healthcare sector’s most significant trends this year was the shift away from traditional treatment methods like therapy and treatment in favour of preventative medicine. Since, in today’s world, we are more aware of the issues surrounding our own health and well-being, the focus on a preventive model of health has been embraced.
The emergence of telehealth has further solidified this trend, and wearable devices have made it easier for individuals to seek the medical treatment they need, even during the strain of the last few years. Like remote or hybrid working, it was devised to serve a purpose back when individuals couldn’t attend their healthcare appointments as usual, but undoubtedly it is here to stay. As you can imagine, trends in the healthcare sector can be both a blessing and a curse for investors.
Ultimately, the goal is to capitalise on long-term trends that will remain in the market. However, those who engage in trend trading without any prior research and knowledge can be playing with fire since predicting trends is always risky.
Many Different Ways To Invest
Seasoned investors know the thrill of investing all too well, and since everyone needs help from the healthcare sector at one point in their lives, it can seem like a no-brainer. However, like other sectors, there isn’t just one way to invest in healthcare, so it can be challenging to know which one (or ones!) to place your hard-earned money in. We outline some of the ways to invest below:
- Individual Stocks – One of the most popular ways to invest in the healthcare sector is by investing in individual stocks. You can find many stocks on the global market, from the UK to international ones. Due to the healthcare sector being so broad, you could choose to invest in many types of stocks, from drug stocks, payer stocks, medical device stocks, and healthcare provider stocks. When deciding which healthcare stocks to invest in, there are several things to consider growth prospects, valuation, dividends, and financial strength.
- ETFs and Mutual Funds – Both exchange-traded and mutual funds have much in common. Both types are made up of many different assets but have a few key differences between them. One of the main differences between the two is that exchange-traded funds can be traded within one day, like stocks; however, mutual funds can only be purchased at the end of the day based on the net asset value. Many funds are indexed, whereas others are actively managed by managers that choose individual stocks based on outlook, corporate performance, and many more factors.
- REITs – A healthcare real estate investment trust is a company that manages, owns, and collects rent from properties in the healthcare sector. This includes hospitals, care homes, research facilities, outpatient facilities, emergency rooms, psychiatric hospitals, medical office buildings, and many more. Due to this, REITs can be a desirable investment opportunity for investors because of the high dividends and growth potential they could grant them. Plus, they can be a compromise for investors that want to invest in the healthcare and real estate sectors – since REITs combine the two of them!
The Bottom Line
Deciding to invest in the private healthcare sector could offer excellent opportunities for investors. The industry is consistently growing, with new opportunities arising. It is understandable why more investors are making investments in the sector. The points mentioned above might influence more investors to follow the same path. It could lead to healthy returns on investments for a few investors.
