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A Healthcare Pick That's Moderately Shielded From Upheaval

A Healthcare Pick That's Moderately Shielded From Upheaval

Debbie Wang: With the high-profile failure of the Republican party to push through any healthcare changes, we actually think the probability of having anything change on that front is fairly limited given that there are some irreconcilable elements within the party itself.

So, as a result, we think that there are some opportunities for investors, especially in the areas of healthcare that are moderately shielded from healthcare reform changes. That would include the pharmaceutical companies and the biotech companies that make the therapeutics.

In particular, Allergan is one of our top picks right now. This is a company that has a strong franchise in the aesthetics market, which tends to be cash-pay and is not touched by reimbursement. It also has a really strong pipeline of specialty drugs. Overall, we think that positions the company in a really nice place.

Unfortunately, it has been tarred by a larger backlash against the pharmaceutical companies that specialize in specialty drugs. However, we think this is a little bit of an overreaction by the market. So, as a result, we see Allergan shares as attractively undervalued right now.

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About the Author

Debbie Wang

Senior Equity Analyst
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Debbie Wang is a senior equity analyst for Morningstar Research Services LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. She covers the medical-device, diagnostics, and animal health industries. Previously, she was an associate director of equity analysis for Morningstar, leading the healthcare team.

Before joining Morningstar in 2002, Wang was a vice president and senior brand strategist for Leo Burnett. During her tenure at Leo Burnett, she led brand strategy on a variety of accounts, including Allstate, Amoco, McDonald's, Heinz, Smucker’s, Pepto-Bismol, and Celebrex.

Wang holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Colgate University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

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