Healthcare stocks and the corresponding exchange traded funds are disappointing in 2016 and that applies to the iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF (NYSEArca: IHI), the largest dedicated medical devices exchange traded fund. IHI is down about 9.5% year-to-date, but that is nearly 100 basis points better than benchmark, diversified healthcare ETFs.
Industry observers argue that medical technology companies can tap into increased healthcare spending among emerging economies while the U.S. market has matured and could experience slower growth. Looking ahead, in the years through 2024, spending growth is projected to average 5.8% and peak at 6.3% in 2020.
IHI has also seen plenty of mergers and acquisitions activity among its components in recent years, but that trend within the health care sector has come under scrutiny as the U.S. Treasury Department looks to crack down on U.S. firms acquiring rivals with foreign domiciles so that they can avoid paying U.S. taxes. More recently, inversions have occurred after large U.S. companies merged with smaller foreign firms. The U.S. company would reincorporate in a tax-friendlier country, like Ireland, while maintaining much of their core operations in the U.S. [Inversion Crackdown Affects Health Care ETFs]
“The medical device industry was just handed a gift by Congress and the President in the latest budget deal: a 2-year delay on the medical devices tax. The 2-year delay will almost assuredly turn into a repeal if a Republican wins the White House in November, but the tax may also die under a Democrat president forced to deal with Republicans in the Senate and possibly the House,” according to a Seeking Alpha analysis of IHI.
Market analysts argue that medical devices and equipment manufacturers are a good healthcare bet and remain well positioned for global growth, reports Constance Gustke for CNBC.