Investor Sentiment Is Horrible and Fund Outflows Are Huge: RBC Says Stay Positive

Health and Healthcare

Published: May 16, 2016 10:45 am

Last Updated: January 13, 2020 8:00 am

After a nice run off the lows of February, the market has hit a wall and pessimism is creeping back in. Worries about everything from the potential departure of Great Britain from the European Union, to the U.S. political situation, to anxiety over China, have contributed to some of the largest equity fund outflows in years — outflows not seen since the Great Recession days of 2008 and 2009.

In a new research report, the technical team at RBC acknowledge that all the above is helping to apply pressure, but they remain positive and feel that any weakness in this quarter and the next one may be an outstanding time to add to positions.

One of the sectors they highlight as among the improving relative performers is health care, and three companies look very good now to the RBC team.

Medtronic

This company is now based in Ireland after the gigantic merger with Covidien in 2015. Medtronic PLC (NYSE: MDT) is a medical devices giant, and many on Wall Street saw this historical merger, probably one of the largest in the Medtech industry, as a momentous event, leading to the creation of a unique company that combines the extensive and innovative abilities of both Medtronic and Covidien. The combined company officially has joint forces of over 85,000 employees present in more than 160 countries.

Top analysts feel that the contributions from Medtronic’s three growth drivers, which they cite as therapy innovation, globalization and services/solutions, should support a 5% or greater constant currency top-line growth this year and beyond. Some also feel that the Covidien earnings potential is underappreciated, and the change in domicile is also a positive.