“Medical technology, biotechnology, medical records and pharmaceuticals are among the greatest innovators and early adopters of new science and technology, so we are paying particularly close attention to companies in those areas,” Shafran said.
For access to the biotech and pharma sectors, investors can take a look at the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (NasdaqGM: IBB) and the PowerShares Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Portfolio (NYSEArca: PJP). Broad healthcare ETFs also include exposure to the sub-sectors, with RYH holding a 14.3% position in biotechnology and 23.4% in pharmaceuticals. [Biotech ETFs Look to Build on Hot August Returns]
As the healthcare sector grows more sophisticated, technological breakthroughs will help keep the sector on the cutting edge.
“The line between what is healthcare and what is technology has become blurred,” Robert Stimpson, the lead portfolio manager of the Black Oak Emerging Technology fund, said in the article.
Despite the more risky nature of the tech sector, healthcare technology stocks are being supported by better fundamentals. Specifically, observers point to the aging population in the U.S and Europe, along with the transition to digital health records mandated under the U.S. Affordable Care Act.
For more information on the healthcare sector, visit our healthcare category.
Max Chen contributed to this article.