In a survey of financial advisors attending the webcast, 48% of respondents believe biotech could increase over 10% in 2017 while 42% believe biotech could rise between 2% and 10% next year. Half of the advisors also indicated that they plan on increasing their biotech exposure over the next twelve months while 38% may maintain positions.
The overall healthcare sector remains robust and continues to expand, growing 7.2% annually between 1990 and 2008. As a percentage of U.S. gross domestic product, healthcare spending still leads the world at 17.1% in 2013.
As a way to capitalize on the growth in the biotech space, investors can take a look at the targeted BioShares Biotechnology Clinical Trials Fund (NasdaqGM: BBC), which is comprised of up-and-coming biotechnology companies that are in the clinical trials stage with no product sales.
An ETF approach to biotech stocks in the clinical trials stage may help investors diversify into industry and could provide a better way to access potential blockbuster drug makers. Yook noted that only 1 in 30 leads eventually become FDA approved at an average cost of close to $1 billion in 13 years. Consequently, it may be more prudent for investors to track a basket of biotech companies as opposed to picking a few names in hopes of striking it big.
Additionally, investors can take a look at the BioShares Biotechnology Products Fund (NasdaqGM: BBP), which follows U.S.-listed biotech companies with a primary product offering or product candidate that has landed FDA approval. Since BBP focuses on larger biotech companies with driving sales, this fund may show lower volatility, compared to BBC that targets smaller, more volatile company stocks.
Financial advisors who are interested in learning more about the biotech space can watch the webcast here on demand.