Any investors or experts in "Health Care" stocks???

[abumhira]

Hello,

I would like to diversify my portfolio by adding maybe one Health care stock..I know that is a pretty stable market sector with a proven track for the past 3-5 years. I was looking at AGL symbol (Angelica Corp.) been keeping track with them lately..although they took a hit this year.

Any recommendation out there for some great health care stocks or mutual funds to look into is well appreciated.

Thanks.

[disneysteve]

I don't think adding one healthcare stock really constitutes diversifying. I'd suggest Vanguard's Health Care fund but unfortunately it is currently closed to new investors. Maybe someone else knows of another fund they can recommend.

[noppenbd]

I don't think adding one healthcare stock really constitutes diversifying. I'd suggest Vanguard's Health Care fund but unfortunately it is currently closed to new investors. Maybe someone else knows of another fund they can recommend.

How about VHT? It is the ETF version of Vanguard's Health Care fund.

[abumhira]

How about VHT? It is the ETF version of Vanguard's Health Care fund.

I will go ahead and look into VHT. So far I like the various holdings it has. I see it took a slump since the beginning of the year. Do you have it in your portfolio?

[poundwise]

Of interest: Article on health care ETFs at MarketWatch

[Broken Arrow]

Hmm, thanks for sharing that article, poundwise.

As I have mentioned before, I've tried to narrow down this sector, but am having a real hard time doing so. About the only industry I can actually understand is pharma. retailer... and maybe insurance.

That said, I have to say AGL is very interesting though. It's more of a basic service provider that specializes in the healthcare sector....

However, it also just got taken over today. So, unless you knew that was coming and made your bet yesterday, well, I think we've pretty much missed the boat on this one

[abumhira]

Maybe its never late buddie...

Hmm, thanks for sharing that article, poundwise.

As I have mentioned before, I've tried to narrow down this sector, but am having a real hard time doing so. About the only industry I can actually understand is pharma. retailer... and maybe insurance.

That said, I have to say AGL is very interesting though. It's more of a basic service provider that specializes in the healthcare sector....

However, it also just got taken over today. So, unless you knew that was coming and made your bet yesterday, well, I think we've pretty much missed the boat on this one

I have been keeping an eye on it for the last 2 weeks..i have been anticipating to buy it..but I just forgot to get that request out....don't yu think if I buy it today...i might be eligible for that $22 a share payout after Lehman takes over fully...they said "in late summer"....

[Broken Arrow]

Sorry, but we've all missed the boat on that one.

In fact, if the extended hour data is correct (and I don't see why it would be), the surge happened before the market even opened this morning.

In short, the time to buy would have been yesterday. But that's assuming if you somehow saw this coming....

(To add, the $22 a share payout is the price Lehman has agreed to pay to acquire controlling interest of the company. It in and of itself doesn't do anything for us individual investors. However, if you still want it, AGL shares is still available at $21.27 right now.)

[abumhira]

You right...yesterday AGL closed at 16.45 and today its looking at closing around $22...that terrible...I missed it...I am very mad about that.

We missed that flight to Lehman Brothers...big time share holders are popping bottles tonight with that $4 a share payout as the deal went through.

[abumhira]

Well BROKEN ARROW I got one for you....keep an eye on OHI

[Broken Arrow]

Aww, don't be so hard on yourself.

Honestly, could you have seen this one coming?

Certainly, if you could have, you and I would have both bought into it yesterday, right?

But we didn't, and certainly not from the lack of trying.

That's just the nature of stock speculations... and why it's so dangerous trying to speculate based on future predictions.

[abumhira]

Its all good tho...we will keep it moving..I just hate the fact that I had it in my CNN portfolio lists and should have kept up with the news blogs...missed that up. Well do you have any symbols you are crossing your fingers on...that might pose a magic to your portfolio...For my side check out OHI -- I am already part of that team...still health sector pal.

[Broken Arrow]

Well BROKEN ARROW I got one for you....keep an eye on OHI

Ok, you piqued my interest. I'll go take a look.

Hmm, interesting! It's actually a REIT, though it specializes in healthcare properties. So, it's important to look at this as a real estate position.

The stats look OK at first brush, but a few small red flags do pop up. The dividend is very high, trading seems relatively low but the beta is fairly high, and there is news about downgrades and selling of common shares. Add it all together, and you have an investment that, although is trending up for the year, also appears to be in distress....

Of course, how that will translate into the future, I don't know. I'm still learning, so what you make of it is up to you.

[Broken Arrow]

Its all good tho...we will keep it moving..I just hate the fact that I had it in my CNN portfolio lists and should have kept up with the news blogs...missed that up. Well do you have any symbols you are crossing your fingers on...that might pose a magic to your portfolio...For my side check out OHI -- I am already part of that team...still health sector pal.

It's probably a Murphy's Law of investing: You only make money when it's simulated.

Yes, like many other traders, I keep a small watch list of companies I like. However, I recommend to create and track your own, as we all have different investment styles, strategies, and situations. As well, our "circle of competence" should be different, which will reflect our difference in picks.

Never blindly follow (or not follow) any else's list. Take in everything and learn from it, but in the end, do the homework for yourself. And then decide if it fits your portfolio, your investment strategy, and ultimately if it fits your watch-list.

I'll get off the soap box now.

[Slug]

I put in for 100 PFE today at 19.5. The dividend alone is worth it for this one. BMY is looking cheap too. It's still a takeover target esp. as it offloads the other businesses. That is, if you're interested in owning individual stocks. The ETF's are smart and safe.