Best Stocks: Three healthcare names to ponder including a biotech back to levels not seen in a decade
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 09 2025
0mins
Should l Buy CAH?
Source: CNBC
Healthcare Sector Growth: The healthcare sector has seen significant growth, with 12 healthcare stocks now on the Best Stocks list, including Alnylam Pharma, which recently received positive news leading to price target increases and strong revenue projections.
Key Stock Performers: Cardinal Health and Gilead Sciences are highlighted as strong performers; Cardinal Health shows solid earnings growth and cash generation, while Gilead's innovative HIV prevention shot is expected to transform its market position and boost revenues significantly.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy CAH?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on CAH
Wall Street analysts forecast CAH stock price to fall
11 Analyst Rating
10 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 229.880
Low
209.00
Averages
225.18
High
244.00
Current: 229.880
Low
209.00
Averages
225.18
High
244.00
About CAH
Cardinal Health, Inc. is a global healthcare services and products company. The Company is engaged in providing customized solutions for hospitals, healthcare systems, pharmacies, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories, physician offices and patients in the home. The Company also provides pharmaceuticals and medical products. Its segments include Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions and Global Medical Products and Distribution (GMPD). The Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions segment distributes branded and generic pharmaceuticals, specialty pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter healthcare and consumer products in the United States, as well as it owns urology MSO. Its GMPD segment manufactures, sources and distributes Cardinal Health branded medical, surgical and laboratory products, which are sold in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and other markets. The Company connects patients, providers, payers, pharmacists and manufacturers for integrated care coordination.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Jim Cramer Analyzes Market Volatility Strategy
- Market Response Strategy: Jim Cramer emphasizes a cautious approach during the market turmoil caused by the Iran war, avoiding panic selling to prevent missing out on potential rebounds, demonstrating a keen awareness of market dynamics.
- Trading Dynamics: The Investing Club's decision to increase its position in Cardinal Health while trimming BlackRock on Monday reflects a flexible portfolio adjustment strategy aimed at maintaining cash flow amidst market uncertainty.
- Alphabet Investment Strategy: The club's additional purchase of Alphabet shares below $300 showcases a strategy to lower the cost basis while expressing confidence in the company's AI leadership, utilizing a small-scale, incremental buying approach to navigate short-term market unpredictability.
- Nvidia Upgrade Decision: The club upgraded Nvidia's stock rating to buy based on its strong earnings report and positive forward guidance, anticipating significant product advancements at the upcoming GTC conference, highlighting the focus on growth potential in the AI sector.
See More
Portfolio Adjustment: Exiting BlackRock to Increase Cardinal Health Stake
- BlackRock Exit: We sold 35 shares of BlackRock at approximately $1,050 each to address pressures in the private markets, acknowledging that while BlackRock's private markets business isn't its primary revenue driver, recent industry weakness could hinder broader adoption among retail investors.
- Cardinal Health Increase: We purchased 90 shares of Cardinal Health at roughly $224 each, increasing our holdings to 260 shares and raising its portfolio weight from 1% to 1.5%, aiming to enhance the portfolio's defensive posture amid rising inflation concerns.
- Market Impact: The net result of these trades is neutral to our cash position, with the overall portfolio weight slightly exceeding 15%, reflecting our view that the market pullback presents an opportunity to invest in economically resilient healthcare companies like Cardinal Health.
- Strategic Shift: By exiting BlackRock while simultaneously increasing our stake in Cardinal Health, we demonstrate a strategic pivot towards more defensive healthcare suppliers in response to potential economic challenges posed by rising energy prices and an aging U.S. population.
See More
Jim Cramer Increases Alphabet Holdings
- Increased Alphabet Holdings: Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust will purchase 55 shares of Alphabet at approximately $298, raising total holdings to 255 shares and increasing Alphabet's portfolio weighting from 1.56% to about 2%, reflecting confidence in the stock.
- Market Volatility Impact: The escalating war in Iran has led to surging oil prices and rising U.S. Treasury yields, with stock futures indicating a sharply lower open on Tuesday, as global equities face a sell-off, exemplified by South Korea's Kospi suffering its worst day in 19 months, highlighting market sensitivity to geopolitical risks.
- Cash Position Adjustment: When the market was expected to open lower on Monday, Cramer utilized a large 15% cash position to initiate a new stake in Cardinal Health, a healthcare defensive growth stock that generates nearly all its revenue domestically, indicating limited sensitivity to overseas turmoil.
- AI-Driven Revenue Growth: Alphabet's Google Search revenue is benefiting from artificial intelligence, with increased engagement from AI-powered queries, while Google Cloud's backlog grew 55% year-over-year to $240 billion, indicating Alphabet's clearer path to monetizing its capital expenditures compared to its hyperscaler peers.
See More
Market Recap: Oil Prices Surge, CrowdStrike Upgraded
- Market Volatility: The S&P 500 fell on Monday but briefly rebounded after the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran, causing oil prices to spike; WTI crude prices, while off their highs, indicate a defensive market stance.
- CrowdStrike Upgrade: Piper Sandler upgraded CrowdStrike from hold to buy with a $520 price target, arguing that the nearly 19% year-to-date pullback is excessive, and sees AI as an opportunity rather than a threat, boosting market confidence.
- Nvidia Strategic Investments: Nvidia shares rose over 3% after being named a top pick by Morgan Stanley, with analysts noting that despite stagnant stock performance in the last two quarters, business has strengthened; the company announced $2 billion investments in both Coherent and Lumentum, highlighting its strategic focus in optics technology.
- Investor Recommendations: Jim Cramer advised investors without Nvidia positions to buy the stock, asserting that its current depressed price won't last long, even as Monday's gains still left shares lower year-to-date.
See More
Jim Cramer's Investment Advice Amid Middle East Tensions
- Selective Investment Strategy: Jim Cramer advises investors to be selective following the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, noting that while stocks initially sold off, there is no need for a full portfolio overhaul, particularly as the long-term narrative around artificial intelligence remains intact.
- Healthcare Sector Opportunities: Cramer recommends investing in the healthcare sector, asserting it will remain insulated from economic fallout, and initiated a position in Cardinal Health on Monday morning, which plays a crucial role in healthcare distribution and is pursuing growth through acquisitions.
- Reducing Oil Exposure: Cramer highlights that the market reaction creates opportunities to lighten oil positions, suggesting a 50% reduction in holdings due to inflated valuations from rising oil prices, drawing on historical patterns where such stocks tend to decline after initial spikes.
- Cautious on Consumer Staples: While Procter & Gamble is typically viewed as a classic defensive stock, Cramer expresses caution, indicating that rising oil prices could squeeze consumer spending, potentially impacting the performance of such stocks.
See More
Investment Analysis of Cardinal Health
- New Investment Move: Shortly after the opening bell, Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust will purchase 170 shares of Cardinal Health at approximately $229, resulting in a 1% ownership stake, reflecting confidence in the company's prospects.
- Market Reaction: Stocks are expected to open sharply lower on Monday due to weekend strikes in Iran, with crude oil prices climbing above $70, heightening concerns about geopolitical risks and inflation, which complicates the market landscape.
- Long-Term Growth Potential: Cardinal Health plays a crucial role in the U.S. healthcare sector, generating 99% of its revenue domestically, and the ongoing increase in the aging population in the U.S. is expected to provide significant long-term growth tailwinds over the next three decades.
- Profitability Enhancement: Despite market volatility, Cardinal Health's stock has risen over 70% in the past 12 months and approximately 10% year-to-date, trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 21 times, indicating strong potential for sustained double-digit earnings growth.
See More
Jim Cramer Analyzes Market Volatility Strategy
- Market Response Strategy: Jim Cramer emphasizes a cautious approach during the market turmoil caused by the Iran war, avoiding panic selling to prevent missing out on potential rebounds, demonstrating a keen awareness of market dynamics.
- Trading Dynamics: The Investing Club's decision to increase its position in Cardinal Health while trimming BlackRock on Monday reflects a flexible portfolio adjustment strategy aimed at maintaining cash flow amidst market uncertainty.
- Alphabet Investment Strategy: The club's additional purchase of Alphabet shares below $300 showcases a strategy to lower the cost basis while expressing confidence in the company's AI leadership, utilizing a small-scale, incremental buying approach to navigate short-term market unpredictability.
- Nvidia Upgrade Decision: The club upgraded Nvidia's stock rating to buy based on its strong earnings report and positive forward guidance, anticipating significant product advancements at the upcoming GTC conference, highlighting the focus on growth potential in the AI sector.
See More
Portfolio Adjustment: Exiting BlackRock to Increase Cardinal Health Stake
- BlackRock Exit: We sold 35 shares of BlackRock at approximately $1,050 each to address pressures in the private markets, acknowledging that while BlackRock's private markets business isn't its primary revenue driver, recent industry weakness could hinder broader adoption among retail investors.
- Cardinal Health Increase: We purchased 90 shares of Cardinal Health at roughly $224 each, increasing our holdings to 260 shares and raising its portfolio weight from 1% to 1.5%, aiming to enhance the portfolio's defensive posture amid rising inflation concerns.
- Market Impact: The net result of these trades is neutral to our cash position, with the overall portfolio weight slightly exceeding 15%, reflecting our view that the market pullback presents an opportunity to invest in economically resilient healthcare companies like Cardinal Health.
- Strategic Shift: By exiting BlackRock while simultaneously increasing our stake in Cardinal Health, we demonstrate a strategic pivot towards more defensive healthcare suppliers in response to potential economic challenges posed by rising energy prices and an aging U.S. population.
See More
Jim Cramer Increases Alphabet Holdings
- Increased Alphabet Holdings: Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust will purchase 55 shares of Alphabet at approximately $298, raising total holdings to 255 shares and increasing Alphabet's portfolio weighting from 1.56% to about 2%, reflecting confidence in the stock.
- Market Volatility Impact: The escalating war in Iran has led to surging oil prices and rising U.S. Treasury yields, with stock futures indicating a sharply lower open on Tuesday, as global equities face a sell-off, exemplified by South Korea's Kospi suffering its worst day in 19 months, highlighting market sensitivity to geopolitical risks.
- Cash Position Adjustment: When the market was expected to open lower on Monday, Cramer utilized a large 15% cash position to initiate a new stake in Cardinal Health, a healthcare defensive growth stock that generates nearly all its revenue domestically, indicating limited sensitivity to overseas turmoil.
- AI-Driven Revenue Growth: Alphabet's Google Search revenue is benefiting from artificial intelligence, with increased engagement from AI-powered queries, while Google Cloud's backlog grew 55% year-over-year to $240 billion, indicating Alphabet's clearer path to monetizing its capital expenditures compared to its hyperscaler peers.
See More
Market Recap: Oil Prices Surge, CrowdStrike Upgraded
- Market Volatility: The S&P 500 fell on Monday but briefly rebounded after the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran, causing oil prices to spike; WTI crude prices, while off their highs, indicate a defensive market stance.
- CrowdStrike Upgrade: Piper Sandler upgraded CrowdStrike from hold to buy with a $520 price target, arguing that the nearly 19% year-to-date pullback is excessive, and sees AI as an opportunity rather than a threat, boosting market confidence.
- Nvidia Strategic Investments: Nvidia shares rose over 3% after being named a top pick by Morgan Stanley, with analysts noting that despite stagnant stock performance in the last two quarters, business has strengthened; the company announced $2 billion investments in both Coherent and Lumentum, highlighting its strategic focus in optics technology.
- Investor Recommendations: Jim Cramer advised investors without Nvidia positions to buy the stock, asserting that its current depressed price won't last long, even as Monday's gains still left shares lower year-to-date.
See More
Jim Cramer's Investment Advice Amid Middle East Tensions
- Selective Investment Strategy: Jim Cramer advises investors to be selective following the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, noting that while stocks initially sold off, there is no need for a full portfolio overhaul, particularly as the long-term narrative around artificial intelligence remains intact.
- Healthcare Sector Opportunities: Cramer recommends investing in the healthcare sector, asserting it will remain insulated from economic fallout, and initiated a position in Cardinal Health on Monday morning, which plays a crucial role in healthcare distribution and is pursuing growth through acquisitions.
- Reducing Oil Exposure: Cramer highlights that the market reaction creates opportunities to lighten oil positions, suggesting a 50% reduction in holdings due to inflated valuations from rising oil prices, drawing on historical patterns where such stocks tend to decline after initial spikes.
- Cautious on Consumer Staples: While Procter & Gamble is typically viewed as a classic defensive stock, Cramer expresses caution, indicating that rising oil prices could squeeze consumer spending, potentially impacting the performance of such stocks.
See More
Investment Analysis of Cardinal Health
- New Investment Move: Shortly after the opening bell, Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust will purchase 170 shares of Cardinal Health at approximately $229, resulting in a 1% ownership stake, reflecting confidence in the company's prospects.
- Market Reaction: Stocks are expected to open sharply lower on Monday due to weekend strikes in Iran, with crude oil prices climbing above $70, heightening concerns about geopolitical risks and inflation, which complicates the market landscape.
- Long-Term Growth Potential: Cardinal Health plays a crucial role in the U.S. healthcare sector, generating 99% of its revenue domestically, and the ongoing increase in the aging population in the U.S. is expected to provide significant long-term growth tailwinds over the next three decades.
- Profitability Enhancement: Despite market volatility, Cardinal Health's stock has risen over 70% in the past 12 months and approximately 10% year-to-date, trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 21 times, indicating strong potential for sustained double-digit earnings growth.
See More
