The Healthcare sector ranks fifth out of the 11 sectors as detailed in our 2Q18 Sector Ratings for ETFs and Mutual Funds report. Last quarter, the Healthcare sector ranked sixth. It gets our Neutral rating, which is based on an aggregation of ratings of 25 ETFs and 77 mutual funds in the Healthcare sector as of April 9, 2018. See a recap of our 1Q18 Sector Ratings here.
Figures 1 and 2 show the five best and worst rated ETFs and mutual funds in the sector. Not all Healthcare sector ETFs and mutual funds are created the same. The number of holdings varies widely (from 25 to 363). This variation creates drastically different investment implications and, therefore, ratings.
Investors seeking exposure to the Healthcare sector should buy one of the Attractive-or-better rated ETFs or mutual funds from Figures 1 and 2.
Our Robo-Analyst technology[1] empowers our unique ETF and mutual fund rating methodology, which leverages our rigorous analysis of each fund’s holdings.[2] We think advisors and investors focused on prudent investment decisions should include analysis of fund holdings in their research process for ETFs and mutual funds.
Figure 1: ETFs with the Best & Worst Ratings – Top 5
* Best ETFs exclude ETFs with TNAs less than $100 million for inadequate liquidity.
Sources: New Constructs, LLC and company filings
iShares Edge MSCI Multifactor Healthcare ETF (HCRF) is excluded from Figure 1 because its total net assets (TNA) are below $100 million and do not meet our liquidity minimums.
Figure 2: Mutual Funds with the Best & Worst Ratings – Top 5
* Best mutual funds exclude funds with TNAs less than $100 million for inadequate liquidity.
Sources: New Constructs, LLC and company filings
Live Oak Health Sciences Fund (LOGSX) and Saratoga Health & Biotechnology Portfolio (SBHIX, SHPCX) are excluded from Figure 2 because their total net assets (TNA) are below $100 million and do not meet our liquidity minimums.
iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (IHF) is the top-rated Healthcare ETF and Fidelity Select Health Care Services Portfolio (FSHCX) is the top-rated Healthcare mutual fund. Both earn a Very Attractive rating.
ETFis Series Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF (BBP) is the worst rated Healthcare ETF and Rydex Series Biotechnology Fund (RYBOX) is the worst rated Healthcare mutual fund. Both earn a Very Unattractive rating.
318 stocks of the 3000+ we cover are classified as Healthcare stocks.
The Danger Within
Buying a fund without analyzing its holdings is like buying a stock without analyzing its business and finances. Put another way, research on fund holdings is necessary due diligence because a fund’s performance is only as good as its holdings’ performance. Don’t just take our word for it, see what Barron’s says on this matter.
PERFORMANCE OF HOLDINGs = PERFORMANCE OF FUND
Analyzing each holding within funds is no small task. Our Robo-Analyst technology enables us to perform this diligence with scale and provide the research needed to fulfill the fiduciary duty of care. More of the biggest names in the financial industry (see At BlackRock, Machines Are Rising Over Managers to Pick Stocks) are now embracing technology to leverage machines in the investment research process. Technology may be the only solution to the dual mandate for research: cut costs and fulfill the fiduciary duty of care. Investors, clients, advisors and analysts deserve the latest in technology to get the diligence required to make prudent investment decisions.
Figures 3 and 4 show the rating landscape of all Healthcare ETFs and mutual funds.
Figure 3: Separating the Best ETFs From the Worst ETFs
Sources: New Constructs, LLC and company filings
Figure 4: Separating the Best Mutual Funds from the Worst Mutual Funds
Sources: New Constructs, LLC and company filings
This article originally published on April 10, 2018.
Disclosure: David Trainer and Kyle Guske II receive no compensation to write about any specific stock, sector or theme.
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[1] Harvard Business School features the powerful impact of our research automation technology in the case New Constructs: Disrupting Fundamental Analysis with Robo-Analysts.
[2] Ernst & Young’s recent white paper “Getting ROIC Right” proves the superiority of our holdings research and analytics.
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