With a global medical device market size of more than $500 billion, it's not surprising that many investors are interested in medical device stocks. And with that market expected to grow to almost $890 billion by 2032, investor interest will almost certainly intensify.
In this article, we'll address exactly what medical device stocks are and identify some of the best stocks to buy. We'll also identify some of the top medical device exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
What are they?
What are medical device stocks?
Medical device stocks are shares of companies that make and sell medical devices. Medical devices include any appliance, instrument, or machine used to diagnose, treat, or prevent a disease or condition. Software, implants, and chemical reagents used for those purposes are also considered medical devices.
If you think that's a broadly defined category, you're right. The World Health Organization estimates that there are roughly 2 million different kinds of medical devices marketed today.
The best stocks
The best medical device stocks in 2024
There are many great medical device stocks for investors to consider. Five of the best picks right now are Abbott Laboratories (ABT 0.01%), InMode (INMD 0.11%), Intuitive Surgical (ISRG 0.5%), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ -0.14%), and Outset Medical (OM 0.84%).
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1. Abbott Laboratories
Abbott Laboratories is a large-cap company that makes medical devices, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, defibrillators, heart failure monitoring systems, mechanical heart valves, pacemakers, and spinal cord stimulators. It also operates multibillion-dollar business segments that market established pharmaceuticals, diagnostics systems, and nutritional products.
The COVID-19 pandemic provided a huge boost to Abbott's fortunes, thanks to the company's rapid diagnostic tests. Although the company's overall revenue declined as demand for the tests waned, Abbott's base business remains strong.
In particular, Abbott's FreeStyle Libre stands out as a key growth driver. It's the top-selling CGM device in the world, with soaring sales.
Income investors may find Abbott especially attractive. It's a Dividend King with 52 consecutive years of dividend increases.
2. GE Healthcare Technologies
GE Healthcare Technologies was spun off from General Electric (GE 1.54%) in 2023. However, the large-cap company has been a leader in the medical device market for decades.
The company has four business segments: imaging, ultrasound, patient care solutions, and pharmaceutical diagnostics. Medical imaging ranks by far as its biggest moneymaker, generating more than half of total revenue.
Like many medical device stocks, GE Healthcare should benefit from aging populations across the world. This tailwind could drive higher demand for the company's products as older individuals require more healthcare services.
GE Healthcare appears to be in a strong position to capitalize on this opportunity. It has a great track record of innovation and also invests heavily in research and development -- more than $1 billion each year.
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3. Intuitive Surgical
Intuitive Surgical is a large-cap company that pioneered the development of minimally invasive robotic surgical systems. The company launched its flagship da Vinci surgical system in 1999. Da Vinci was first approved for use in general laparoscopic surgery, but today it is used in a wide range of procedures.
More than 15 million procedures have been performed using da Vinci systems, with more than 2.2 million of those procedures done in 2023. Over 9,800 da Vinci systems are installed in hospitals across the world.
Aside from a temporary slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, Intuitive Surgical's procedure volumes have grown steadily in recent years, boosting the company's recurring revenue from selling replacement instruments. In 2023, recurring revenue made up over 80% of Intuitive's total revenue.
Aging trends should help Intuitive Surgical by driving increased demand for surgical procedures. The company also continues to enhance its robotic surgical systems so that they can be used for additional types of procedures.
4. Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is a large-cap company that ranks as one of the biggest medical device makers in the world. It markets medical devices that include catheters, implants, robotic surgical systems, surgical instruments, and wound closure products. J&J also is a top maker of prescription drugs.
Acquisitions have played a big role in helping Johnson & Johnson grow its medical device business. In recent years, the healthcare giant has acquired several medtech companies, including Abiomed and Verb Surgical.
Johnson & Johnson spun off its consumer health unit into a separate publicly traded entity, KenVue (KVUE -1.25%), in May 2023. The move could enable the company to deliver even stronger growth.
The stock remains a favorite for income investors, too. J&J has increased its dividend for an impressive 62 consecutive years, making it one of the top Dividend Kings in the market.
5. TransMedics Group
TransMedics Group is a small-cap company that markets devices that support transporting donor organs. Its Organ Care System (OCS) essentially keeps lungs, hearts, and livers functioning during transportation.
OCS presents a huge leap forward from the cold storage that's the current standard for transporting donor organs. The technology significantly increases the number of organs that are able to ultimately be used in transplants. It also can help greatly reduce post-transplantation complications.
This big unmet medical need provides a great opportunity for TransMedics. The company's national aviation fleet, the first dedicated exclusively to transporting donor organs, puts it in a strong position to take advantage of this opportunity.
TransMedics expects that revenue will jump in the ballpark of 80% in 2024. The company is now profitable, and its bottom line is continuing to improve.
Medical device ETFs
Medical device ETFs
For investors who want to buy a basket of medical device stocks, there are several medical device ETFs to consider, including iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF (IHI 0.0%), SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF (XHE -0.15%), and First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV 0.27%).
1. iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF
The iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF is operated by BlackRock (NYSE:BLK). This ETF invests only in U.S. medical device companies. The fund’s annual expense ratio is 0.4%.
IHI currently owns positions in 50 stocks. Its top holdings include Abbott Laboratories, Intuitive Surgical, Stryker (SYK 0.67%), Boston Scientific (BSX -0.51%), and Medtronic (MDT -0.15%).
2. SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF
The SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF is operated by State Street (STT -0.19%). It invests in healthcare equipment and healthcare supplies companies, a group that includes many medical device companies. The ETF’s annual expense ratio is 0.35%.
XHE currently owns positions in 65 stocks. Its top holdings include Omnicell (OMCL -0.09%), ICU Medical (ICUI 0.06%), Lantheus Holdings (LNTH -0.36%), UFP Technologies (UFPT -1.22%), and Atricure (ATRC 0.41%).
3. First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF
The First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF is operated by First Trust Portfolios. This ETF invests in medical device companies based in both the U.S. and other countries. Its annual expense ratio is 0.70%.
MDEV currently owns positions in 49 stocks. Its top holdings include Koninklijke Philips (PHG -0.11%), Globus Medical (NASDAQ:GMED), ResMed (RMD 0.83%), Smith & Nephew (SNN 0.32%), and Hoya (HOCPY 1.64%).
Related investing topics
Should you invest?
Should you invest in medical device companies?
As is the case with most investing questions, the best answer about whether you should invest in medical device companies is: It depends. Every investor has different goals, risk tolerances, and time horizons.
Medical device stocks can sink during economic downturns as healthcare providers curtail their spending. They also face volatility related to government and private payer reimbursement decisions. Investors with short time horizons and/or low risk tolerance levels should especially take these factors into consideration.
However, the long-term prospects for the medical device industry generally appear to be very good. Aging demographics and technological innovations should provide nice tailwinds for the medical device sector. For long-term investors who don't mind the potential for volatility, medical device stocks should provide an attractive opportunity.
