Categories: Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)Healthcare

ETF Talk: Health Care Provides Investment Opportunity

The health-care sector has faced heavy uncertainty in recent months, following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold almost all of the Affordable Care Act — also known as “Obamacare.” With Republican presidential candidate Gov. Mitt Romney vowing to rescind Obamacare, the future of the health-care sector and the mandate that all citizens buy health insurance or pay a tax adds to the abyss of the unknown as November’s election approaches.

However, I’ve had my eye on one exchange-traded fund, the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV), which has risen more than 15% so far this year through yesterday’s trading, including two dividend payments.

The fund seems to have momentum, since it opened trading at $35.10 on Jan. 3, and had risen to $40.18 by midday today, Sept. 19. Established on December 16, 1998, the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) seeks to closely match the returns and characteristics of the S&P Health Care select sector index. Simply put, the fund follows the performance of the health-care sector and the chart below shows its ascent during the past 12 months.

XLV’s top five holdings, as of Sept. 18, were: Johnson & Johnson, 12.23%; Pfizer Inc, 11.68%; Merck & Co Inc., 8.71%; Abbott Labs, 5.97%; and Amgen Inc., 4.14%. The fund’s biggest allocation is to pharmaceuticals, accounting for about half of its holdings. The second-biggest allocation features health-care providers and services, totaling about 20% of the portfolio.

In addition, the fund’s focus on health-care stocks means that XLV exposes investors to the risks associated with the sector. However, if the sector continues to perform well, the fund may provide significant upside. The fund currently trades at a slight premium to its net asset value of $40.01. This premium, combined with the uncertainty in the sector, warrants caution before you decide to invest. Nonetheless, this fund is worth monitoring in the coming weeks and months as Obamacare’s fate becomes clearer.

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Doug Fabian

Doug Fabian is the Editor of Weekly ETF Report, a free weekly e-newsletter, and the newsletter Successful ETF Investing. He’s also the host of the syndicated radio show, “Doug Fabian’s Wealth Strategies.” Doug also edits the fast-paced trading service ETF Trader’s Edge, for investors who want to take their profits to the next level. Taking over the reins from his dad, Dick Fabian, back in 1992, Doug has continued to uphold the reputation of the newsletter as the #1 risk-adjusted market timer as ranked by Hulbert’s Investment Digest. Doug became a member of the “SmartMoney 30” in 1999 — a listing of the most influential individuals in the mutual fund industry. In the feature, SmartMoney magazine exclaims that Doug is the best-known “trend follower” among the $56 billion (and growing) group of financial advisors. In 2001, Doug wrote “Maverick Investing,” published by McGraw-Hill. He also regularly appears at seminars around the country, stands out on the pages of the largest newspapers (The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times), and speaks on national television (CNBC, Fox News, and Bloomberg Forum). For more than 35 years, Successful ETF Investing (formerly the Telephone Switch Newsletter and Successful Investing) has produced double-digit percentage annual gains. Doug has become known for his expert knowledge and timely use of innovative tools, such as exchange-traded funds, bear funds, and enhanced-index funds to profit in any market climate. For more information about Doug’s services, go to http://www.fabian.com/