Cure Recession Blues With These Red-Hot Healthcare Stocks

Viemed Healthcare Inc. (TSX:VMD) and one other medical stock could reward Canadian investors with upside, even despite a recession.

| More on:

Healthcare is often seen as recession-proof, but the following two stocks also have the potential to make a bold investor rich. Having sifted through the available options, this duo of tickers represents a long-range value option and a high-growth option that could offer some quick upside. Let’s take a look at the stories behind two of the most popular medical stocks on the TSX and see whether either of them is a buy.

Viemed Healthcare

Covering two key areas of niche medical treatment, Viemed (TSX:VMD) produces solutions for neuromuscular patients as well as for sufferers with respiratory disease, sleep apnea, and oxygen-related conditions. This growth stock leaped 85% so far this year and more than doubled last year. While this means that the stock could obviously be cheaper — and its fundamentals indicate the same — the upside potential makes the stock a buy at almost any price.

Capital gains investors have a clear opportunity to make some serious dough by trading this stock. Go right back to January 2018, and you’ll see that the share price hasn’t stopped climbing since then. Though a spike caused a subsequent drop-off in mid-November, the trend has been otherwise steeply positive — particularly so this summer. A dip in the share price presents a rare value opportunity, making any subsequent gains even greater.

Immunovaccine

Having doubled in the past couple of years, IMV (TSX:IMV)(NASDAQ:IMV) is no stranger to growth, though its share price has been somewhat beaten up of late. Still, if good value for money suits your investment style, IMV could fit nicely into the healthcare section of a long-range capital gains-based portfolio of stocks. With a focus on biopharmaceutical treatments for cancer as well as other immunotherapies, this stock could soar on good news from the labs.

Whether the bottom has been reached just yet isn’t clear, though there’s a wide margin for profit from this stock that recently hit a year-long low. While the share price has managed to climb back off its 52-week low, at $3.74 a pop, it’s still a long way off even its low target price of $7.95. And while it seems an exciting prospect for hopeful shareholders, its high target price of $15.29 seems almost unfeasibly steep from this vantage point.

Still, considering that IMV saw $8.49 in the last 12 months, there’s every reason — especially given favourable lab results — that an investor could double their money here. One of the biggest reasons to get invested is IMV’s market share. Niche medical treatments are few and far between in the upper echelons of the TSX, and IMV is one of the better ones. In short, if you’re looking for a downturn-hardy investment with upside potential, look no further.

The bottom line

Niche markets cornered by thriving companies whose stock can seriously multiply an investor’s wealth are like gold mines for portfolios centred on growth. With the call for a recession gaining mainstream traction and any number of signs of a downturn amassing on the horizon, healthcare stocks should form part of a TSX investor’s defensive strategy, with the two tickers listed above being suitable examples of what to buy to stay safe while making a profit.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Victoria Hetherington has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of Viemed Healthcare Inc. Viemed Healthcare Inc. is a recommendation of Hidden Gems Canada.

More on Dividend Stocks

Train cars pass over trestle bridge in the mountains
Dividend Stocks

Is CNR Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

Can CNR stock continue its long-term outperformance into 2025 and beyond? Let's explore whether now is a good time to…

Read more »

coins jump into piggy bank
Dividend Stocks

The Smartest Dividend Stocks to Buy With $500 Right Now

These top dividend stocks both offer attractive yields and trade off their highs, making them two of the best to…

Read more »

Middle aged man drinks coffee
Dividend Stocks

Here’s the Average TFSA Balance at Age 35 in Canada

At age 35, it might not seem like you need to be thinking about your future cash flow. But ideally,…

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Dividend Stocks

How to Invest Your $7,000 TFSA Contribution in 2024

Here's how I would prioritize a $7,000 TFSA contribution for growth and income.

Read more »

a man relaxes with his feet on a pile of books
Dividend Stocks

CPP Pensioners: Watch for These Important Updates

The CPP is an excellent tool for retirees, but be sure to stay on top of important updates like these.

Read more »

Technology
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 3 Dividend Stocks I’d Buy and Hold Forever

These TSX dividend stocks are likely to help TFSA investors earn steady and growing passive income for decades.

Read more »

four people hold happy emoji masks
Dividend Stocks

Love Dividend Growth? Check Out These 2 Income-Boosting Stocks

National Bank of Canada (TSX:NA) and another Canadian dividend-growth stock are looking like a bargain going into December 2024.

Read more »

An investor uses a tablet
Dividend Stocks

A Dividend Giant I’d Buy Over Enbridge Stock Right Now

Enbridge stock may seem like the best of the best in terms of dividends, but honestly this one is far…

Read more »