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BELLEVUE ASSET MANAGEMENT AG Bellevue Asset Management AG: Medtech & Services sector lives up to its reputation

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01/09/2022 07:00

Bellevue Asset Management AG / Key word(s): Market Report
Bellevue Asset Management AG: Medtech & Services sector lives up to its reputation

01.09.2022 / 07:00 CET/CEST


Market commentary of September 1, 2022

Medtech & Services sector lives up to its reputation

Sector rotation into value has lost considerable momentum and investors are showing more interest in fast-growing, innovative, non-cyclical stocks. This has put medtech & services companies (back) on the radar of the general investment community.

By Marcel Fritsch, Portfolio Manager of the Bellevue Medtech & Services Fund

A stabilization of the interest rate situation appears not too far off and that has positive ramifications for the stock market, which is in the initial stages of a recovery. July was a very strong month for stock markets worldwide (MSCI World Net +11.0%), and the Euro Stoxx 50 (+7.5%) and Germany’s blue-chip DAX index (+5.5%) also regained some of the ground they'd lost during the previous months. Medical technology and healthcare services stocks also performed well in this environment. They advanced 9.3% over the month as measured by MSCI World Healthcare Equipment & Supplies and clearly outperformed the broad healthcare index MSCI World Healthcare Net (+6.2%).

The ongoing second-quarter reporting season is also grounds for optimism. Boston Scientific, Stryker, Danaher and Thermo Fisher, not to mention US health insurers such as Molina or Centene, reported better-than-expected results and investors accordingly bid their stock prices up. Even companies that did not quite meet expectations, such as Align, Intuitive Surgical, and Edwards Lifesciences, also traded higher. This is another indication that investors, emboldened by the better visibility, have clearly tempered their risk expectations, which, in turn, more than offset the slightly lower guidance some medtech companies gave for 2022 as a whole.

Sales grow despite recession

Once considerable uncertainty among investors regarding a potential recovery in medtech procedure volumes after the most recent surge in coronavirus cases has since given way to guarded optimism. Although the medtech sector is not entirely immune to recessionary forces, inflation or interest rate trends, recent statements from medtech company executives have confirmed that the medtech and services sector can still be regarded as a safe haven in times of trouble. Looking back at 2008/09, during the last major recession, most medtech companies continued to report positive sales and earnings growth. Since then, the industry has maintained its progressive development and bolstered its profile as one of the most defensive sectors of the stock market. Medtech stands out for its faster-than-average profit growth and lesser susceptibility to fluctuations. These strengths are definitely attractive in a market environment that leaves investors wondering which way the economy is heading.

Outlook: Acquisitions and new products

The outlook for the medtech & services sector for the rest of 2022 looks good. New COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in key medtech & services markets (North America, Europe and Japan) have fallen hard and fast since Omicron became the dominant strain of the coronavirus. We believe that the high levels of population immunity will usher in a strong recovery in elective procedures in 2022 and 2023.

The sector’s risk-return profile is enticing for many investors. Regardless of when the pandemic and the geopolitical situation returns to normal, the sector-specific structural growth factors such as rising life expectancy and high rates of innovation will sustain the medtech & services sector's above-average growth versus the overall economy and power its high rates of profit growth. For example, the long-term average earnings per share growth for the MSCI Medtech & Services Index is 12%, which is twice as high as for the MSCI World Index.

Higher material and logistics costs are a reality, but medtech companies are well-managed and will probably be able to compensate for the higher costs. We also expect numerous approvals and market launches of relevant products for diabetes and structural heart disease.

Moderate sector valuations spell opportunities, and not only for investors. We anticipate an increase in M&A activity because the valuation multiples of many promising, fast-growing companies have declined so much.

The Bellevue Medtech & Services Fund (ISIN B-EUR LU0415391431) invests in the entire healthcare market with the exception of drug developers. One reason for the fund’s strong long-term track record is that the medtech & services sector ranks among the most defensive of all healthcare subsectors while also offering solid outperformance potential. That plus an additional bounce in growth from the rescheduling of non-urgent treatments that were postponed during the pandemic create attractive entry points for investors.

More information on the Bellevue Medtech & Services Fund

 

Author: Marcel Fritsch
Marcel Fritsch joined Bellevue Asset Management in 2008 and is Portfolio Manager of the Bellevue Medtech & Services Fund and the Bellevue Digital Health Fund. Prior to joining Bellevue, he worked as a consultant at Deloitte & Touche for 3 years, where his duties included the formulation of company strategy, evaluation of organizational structures and the business valuations within the scope of M&A transactions. Marcel Fritsch holds a degree in business economics from the University of St. Gallen (HSG).

 

Contact
Bellevue Asset Management AG, Seestrasse 16 / P.O. Box, CH-8700 Küsnacht/Zurich,
Tanja Chicherio, tel. +41 44 267 67 09, tch@bellevue.ch

 

www.bellevue.ch

 

Bellevue – Excellence in Specialty Investments 
Bellevue is a specialized asset manager listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange with core competencies covering healthcare strategies, entrepreneur strategies, alternative and traditional investment strategies. Established in 1993, Bellevue, a House of Investment Ideas staffed by 100 professionals, generates attractive investment returns and creates value added for clients and shareholders alike. Assets under management at the end of June 2022 amounted to CHF 9.6 bn. 

Disclaimer: This document is neither directed to, nor intended for distribution or use by, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of any locality, state, country or jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to law or regulation. The information and data presented in this document are not to be considered as an offer to buy or sell or an invitation to subscribe any securities or financial instruments. The information, opinions and estimates contained in this document reflect a judgment at the original date of release and are subject to change without notice. Liability for the accuracy or completeness of all information in this document is expressly disclaimed. This information does not take into account the specific or future investment objectives, the financial or tax situation or the particular needs of any specific recipient This document does not constitute independent investment research. Interested investors should always seek professional advice before making an investment decision. The information in this document is provided without any guarantees or warranties, for information purposes only, and is intended only for the personal use of the recipient. Every investment involves some risk, especially with regard to of fluctuations in value and return. Investments in foreign currency involve the additional risk that a foreign currency might lose value against an investor's reference currency. This document does not reflect all possible risk factors associated with an investment in the aforementioned securities or financial instruments. Historical performance data and financial market scenarios are no guarantee or indicator of current and future performance. The performance data are calculated without taking account of commissions and costs that result from subscriptions and redemptions. Commissions and costs adversely affect performance. Financial transactions should only be carried out after thorough study of the current prospectus and are only valid on the basis of/or/and are subject to the terms given in the most recently published prospectus and annual or semi-annual report. Bellevue Funds (Lux) SICAV is admitted for public distribution in Switzerland. Representative in Switzerland: Waystone Fund Services (Switzerland) SA, Avenue Villamont 17, CH-1005 Lausanne. Paying agent in Switzerland: DZ PRIVATBANK (Schweiz) AG, Münsterhof 12, P.O. Box, CH-8022 Zurich. Bellevue Funds (Lux) SICAV is admitted for public distribution in Austria. Paying and information agent: ERSTE BANK der oesterreichischen Sparkassen AG, Am Belvedere 1, A-1100 Vienna. The Bellevue Funds (Lux) SICAV is admitted for public distribution in Germany. Paying and information agent: ACOLIN Europe GmbH, Reichenaustrasse 11a-c, D-78467 Constance. Bellevue Funds (Lux) SICAV is registered in the CNMV registry of foreign collective investment schemes distributed in Spain, under registration number 938. Representative: atl Capital, Calle de Montalbán 9, ES-28014 Madrid. Prospectus, Key Investor Information Document (“KIID”), the articles of association as well as the annual and semi-annual reports of the Bellevue Funds under Luxembourg law are available free of charge from the above-mentioned representative, paying, facilities and information agents as well as from Bellevue Asset Management AG, Seestrasse 16, CH-8700 Küsnacht. With respect to fund units distributed in or from Switzerland, the place of performance and jurisdiction is established at the registered office of the representative.



End of Media Release


1432565  01.09.2022 CET/CEST

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