Some of the most successful investors understand that the power of equity markets lies in their ability to generate consistent returns over the long run. While most traders lose money, people who invest in quality stocks and stick with them through thick and thin over long periods can build lasting generational wealth. Let's consider two stocks to invest in that can help anyone do just that: Intuitive Surgical (ISRG +0.15%) and HCA Healthcare (HCA 2.39%). Here's more on these healthcare leaders.
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1. Intuitive Surgical
Intuitive Surgical could benefit from greater adoption of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) devices over the long run, as this market is currently underpenetrated. Surgical robots enable physicians to perform minimally invasive surgeries, which involve fewer incisions, less bleeding, and faster recovery times. Intuitive Surgical's most important product, the da Vinci system, is a leader in this niche. The company ended 2025 with an installed base of 11,106, up 12% year over year.
A large portion of Intuitive Surgical's revenue comes from selling disposable instruments and accessories that are used during surgeries. These are limited-life tools that need to be replaced frequently, generating recurring revenue for the company, especially as its installed base expands. Growing procedure volume and label expansions should also help boost the company's sales over the long run. Further, Intuitive Surgical is a highly innovative company that should continue launching newer and better versions of the da Vinci system.
NASDAQ: ISRG
Key Data Points
There will be some challenges. Intuitive Surgical is facing increased competition from medical device giants like Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson. The company is also feeling the impact of tariffs. However, Intuitive Surgical's strong moat, stemming from switching costs and best-in-class technology that gives it the flexibility to raise prices, can allow it to overcome these obstacles. So, the stock could perform well over the long run and significantly increase shareholders' wealth.
2. HCA Healthcare
HCA Healthcare runs a vast network of diversified healthcare facilities across the U.S., including acute care hospitals, surgery centers, urgent care centers, and more. The company will benefit from long-term secular trends, such as the world's aging population and rising demand for medical services. Although it operates in a competitive space, HCA Healthcare's strategy has allowed it to grow its market share over the past 15 years.
The company's success comes, in part, from investments in cutting-edge medical technology that helps improve patient outcomes. HCA Healthcare has also built deep relationships with payers -- both government and private -- as well as physicians and the communities it serves. That grants it a significant advantage, as this ecosystem is very hard for newcomers to replicate, even putting aside the large upfront investments required to build and run healthcare facilities.
NYSE: HCA
Key Data Points
HCA Healthcare also faces risks, especially related to changing government policy that could lead to lower reimbursement for some patients and, in turn, less demand for its services. But HCA Healthcare has traditionally managed this threat fairly well, partly through generating revenue from a fairly diversified mix of government and private health insurers. HCA Healthcare's long-term outlook is attractive. It could be a core holding in a well-performing, well-diversified portfolio.
