What are the largest healthcare companies?

The largest healthcare companies by market cap in early September 2026 were Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, and AbbVie.

How to invest in healthcare stocks?

To invest in healthcare stocks:Open your brokerage app: Log into your brokerage account where you handle your investments.Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected, and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.

Is healthcare a good investment?

Healthcare companies can be good investments. There's always demand for healthcare, and many of these companies pay high dividends.

Largest Healthcare Companies by Market Cap in September 2026

Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, and AbbVie are the biggest companies by market cap in the healthcare sector

By Lyle Daly – Updated Sep 7, 2026 at 3:19 PM EST | Fact-checked by Frank Bass

Key Points

Eli Lilly leads as world's most valuable drug company with a market cap of $1.1 trillion.
Johnson & Johnson's market cap hits $663 billion, excelling in pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
AbbVie, valued at $453 billion, focuses on biotech for severe illnesses and offers high dividend yields.

Eli Lilly (LLY +3.47%) is the largest healthcare company in the world, followed by Johnson & Johnson (JNJ +1.03%) and AbbVie (ABBV +0.03%). Pharmaceutical companies dominate this market sector, demonstrating how valuable drug manufacturing can be. Read on to see the 10 most valuable companies as of September 2026.

Editor's note: Rankings and financial metrics are as of Sept. 4, 2026; live quote cards update automatically and are the most current data available.

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A pharmacist standing in front of medications and using a computer. — Image source: Getty Images.

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Largest companies by market cap in the healthcare sector

Ticker Information Table
Name and ticker	Market capMarket cap calculated using publicly traded shares outstanding only. Does not include unlisted, private, or dual-class non-traded shares. Implied market cap may vary.	Current price	Industry
Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY)	$1.1 trillion	$1,189.30	Pharmaceuticals
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)	$648.7 billion	$271.93	Pharmaceuticals
AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV)	$468.4 billion	$265.20	Biotechnology
Merck (NYSE:MRK)	$365.3 billion	$148.82	Pharmaceuticals
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH)	$333.3 billion	$374.75	Healthcare Providers and Services
Novartis (NYSE:NVS)	$261.2 billion	$143.37	Pharmaceuticals
AstraZeneca Plc (NASDAQ:AZN)	N/A	N/A	Pharmaceuticals
Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN)	$219.5 billion	$406.88	Biotechnology
Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO)	$246.0 billion	$681.55	Life Sciences Tools and Services
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT)	$179.1 billion	$101.42	Healthcare Equipment and Supplies

Data as of Sep 24, 2026. Showing 10 of 10 total entries.

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1. Eli Lilly

Market cap: $1.03 trillion (as of Sept. 4)
Revenue (TTM): $79.7 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $66.4 billion
Five-year annualized return: 34.66%
Year founded: 1876

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NYSE: LLY

Eli Lilly

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

93/100

Today's Change

(3.33%) $38.31

Current Price

$1,189.30

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$1.1T

Day's Range

$1151.00 - $1197.79

52wk Range

$712.05 - $1292.65

Volume

1.6M

Avg Vol

2.7M

Gross Margin

83.40%

Dividend Yield

0.58%

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Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly is the world's most valuable drug company. A chemist and Union Army veteran founded the company in 1876, and it later became the first to mass-produce insulin and the polio vaccine.

Some of its top products are diabetes medications, weight loss drugs, obesity treatments, and antidepressants such as Prozac. In April 2026, the FDA approved Foundayo, Eli Lilly's GLP-1 weight loss pill.

2. Johnson & Johnson

Market cap: $663.28 billion (as of Sept. 4)
Revenue (TTM): $97.9 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $66.5 billion
Five-year annualized return: 9.47%
Year founded: 1886

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NYSE: JNJ

Johnson & Johnson

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

79/100

Today's Change

(1.03%) $2.76

Current Price

$271.93

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$649B

Day's Range

$269.01 - $275.23

52wk Range

$175.91 - $281.07

Volume

3.4M

Avg Vol

7.3M

Gross Margin

68.03%

Dividend Yield

1.96%

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Johnson & Johnson is one of the leading pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Its two primary business segments are Innovative Medicine, which develops and markets prescription drugs, and MedTech, which manufactures medical devices, including Acuvue contact lenses.

Johnson & Johnson also had a robust consumer healthcare division that produced Tylenol and many other household names. It spun off that division into a new business, Kenvue (KVUE -0.14%), in 2023.

3. AbbVie

Market cap: $453.20 billion (as of Sept. 4)
Revenue (TTM): $64.4 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $46.0 billion
Five-year annualized return: 18.10%
Year founded: 2012

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NYSE: ABBV

AbbVie

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

79/100

Today's Change

(0.04%) $0.12

Current Price

$265.20

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$468B

Day's Range

$263.09 - $267.41

52wk Range

$190.75 - $269.39

Volume

1.9M

Avg Vol

6.1M

Gross Margin

71.42%

Dividend Yield

2.58%

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AbbVie is a biotechnology company that develops treatments for serious diseases. It has produced therapies for illnesses, including autoimmune diseases, plaque psoriasis, blood cancers, and advanced Parkinson's disease. It also acquired Capstan Therapeutics, a cell and gene therapy company, for $2.1 billion in mid-2025.

AbbVie is a relatively new company that was spun off from Abbott Laboratories (ABT -2.02%) in 2013. It's now one of the better dividend stocks in the healthcare sector. It has regularly raised its dividend payout, resulting in a high dividend yield.

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4. Merck

Market cap: $370.89 billion (as of Sept. 4)
Revenue (TTM): $66.6 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $48.6 billion
Five-year annualized return: 14.24%
Year founded: 1891

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NYSE: MRK

Merck

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

83/100

Today's Change

(0.50%) $0.74

Current Price

$148.82

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$365B

Day's Range

$148.00 - $151.46

52wk Range

$77.58 - $156.92

Volume

6.2M

Avg Vol

10.2M

Gross Margin

72.43%

Dividend Yield

2.30%

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Merck (MRK +0.46%) is a pharmaceutical company known for its impressive oncology portfolio. That includes its leading drug, Keytruda, which is one of the best-selling drugs worldwide. Merck also makes diabetes medications, an HPV vaccine, and a chickenpox vaccine.

In May 2026, Merck completed the acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals. The $6.7 billion deal bolsters Merck's oncology portfolio.

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5. UnitedHealth Group

Market cap: $356.47 billion (as of Sept. 4)
Revenue (TTM): $450.1 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $87.8 billion
Five-year annualized return: -1.25%
Year founded: 1977

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NYSE: UNH

UnitedHealth Group

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

71/100

Today's Change

(0.93%) $3.46

Current Price

$374.75

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$333B

Day's Range

$368.50 - $375.10

52wk Range

$255.97 - $461.62

Volume

3.1M

Avg Vol

5.1M

Dividend Yield

2.44%

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UnitedHealth Group (UNH +0.97%) provides health insurance and healthcare services. It sells health insurance products through its UnitedHealthcare division and offers healthcare services through its Optum division.

Although UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest healthcare companies, it has faced several high-profile issues. A subsidiary, Change Healthcare, was responsible for the largest reported healthcare data breach in history in 2024. CEO Andrew Witty abruptly resigned in May 2025 for personal reasons, and the company also replaced its CFO in July 2025.

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6. Novartis

Market cap: $304.10 billion (as of Sept. 4)
Revenue (TTM): $56.7 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $42.4 billion
Five-year annualized return: 13.08%
Year founded: 1886 (Sandoz), 1970 (Ciba-Geigy), 1996 (merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz)

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NYSE: NVS

Novartis

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

85/100

Today's Change

(0.46%) $0.66

Current Price

$143.37

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$261B

Day's Range

$142.91 - $144.66

52wk Range

$121.57 - $170.46

Volume

1.5M

Avg Vol

2.1M

Gross Margin

74.08%

Dividend Yield

3.32%

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Novartis (NVS +0.46%) is a Swiss pharmaceutical company. It manufactures prescription drugs for various diseases. Some of its bestselling products include Entresto, a medication used to treat heart failure; Cosentyx, a psoriasis treatment; and Kesimpta, a treatment for certain forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

This Swiss company is incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) technology into its business. Novartis has partnered with Viz.ai to provide AI-powered care for cancer patients. It also acquired Avidity Biosciences in a $12 billion deal that closed in February 2026 to improve its late-stage neuroscience pipeline.

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7. AstraZeneca

Market cap: $252.33 billion (as of Sept. 4)
Revenue (TTM): $61.4 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $50.3 billion
Five-year annualized return: 6.70%
Year founded: 1913 (Astra AB), Zeneca (1993), 1999 (merger of Astra AB and Zeneca)

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NASDAQ: AZN

AstraZeneca Plc

Today's Change

(0.00%) $0.00

Current Price

$0.00

Key Data Points

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AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) is a multinational biotech company formed through the 1999 merger of Astra, a Swiss company, and Zeneca, a British company. Its headquarters are in Cambridge, U.K.

This company manufactures prescription medications for many major diseases, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, renal disease, and rare diseases. It has 11 research and development (R&D) centers, 28 manufacturing sites, and a market presence in more than 130 countries.

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8. Amgen

Market cap: $236.38 billion (as of Sept. 4)
Revenue (TTM): $38.1 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $26.5 billion
Five-year annualized return: 14.07%
Year founded: 1980

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NASDAQ: AMGN

Amgen

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

81/100

Today's Change

(0.20%) $0.79

Current Price

$406.88

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$220B

Day's Range

$403.88 - $409.99

52wk Range

$269.77 - $447.03

Volume

939.7K

Avg Vol

2.7M

Gross Margin

72.71%

Dividend Yield

2.45%

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Amgen (AMGN +0.23%) is a biotechnology and pharmaceutical company with a presence in about 100 countries. It focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and on conditions with limited treatment options. The company develops treatments across general medicine, rare diseases, inflammation, and oncology.

Some of Amgen's best-selling products include Enbrel, an anti-inflammatory medicine; Prolia, an osteoporosis treatment in women after menopause; and Otezla, a medicine for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

9. Thermo Fisher Scientific

Market cap: $226.94 billion (as of Sept. 4)
Revenue (TTM): $46.3 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $18.9 billion
Five-year annualized return: 1.56%
Year founded: 1902 (Fisher Scientific), 1956 (Thermo Electron), 2006 (merged into Thermo Fisher Scientific)

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NYSE: TMO

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

78/100

Today's Change

(2.44%) $16.25

Current Price

$681.55

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$246B

Day's Range

$655.95 - $682.98

52wk Range

$435.27 - $682.98

Volume

1.4M

Avg Vol

2.1M

Gross Margin

40.19%

Dividend Yield

0.28%

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Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO +2.44%) is a life science and research company. It has a large, diverse portfolio of products, including analytical equipment, diagnostic kits and instruments, and life science products used in medical research and diagnostics.

This Massachusetts-based company has operations worldwide. It also employs approximately 125,000 people. In September 2025, Thermo Fisher expanded its Life Sciences Solutions segment by acquiring the purification and filtration business of Solventum (SOLV -0.05%) for $4 billion. In October 2025, it agreed to acquire life sciences company Clario for $9 billion.

10. Abbott Laboratories

Market cap: $187.45 billion (as of Sept. 4)
Revenue (TTM): $46.6 billion
Gross profit (TTM): $26.4 billion
Five-year annualized return: -3.42%
Year founded: 1888

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NYSE: ABT

Abbott Laboratories

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

74/100

Today's Change

(-2.00%) $-2.07

Current Price

$101.42

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$179B

Day's Range

$101.28 - $104.22

52wk Range

$81.97 - $135.45

Volume

3.4M

Avg Vol

10.2M

Gross Margin

52.81%

Dividend Yield

2.40%

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Abbott Laboratories manufactures healthcare products and medical equipment. The company's four main business segments are established pharmaceutical products, diagnostic products, nutritional products, and medical devices.

Like its spinoff AbbVie, Abbott Laboratories is a favorite of dividend investors. It has raised its dividend for more than 50 consecutive years, putting it on the list of Dividend Kings.

Drug makers and diversified giants split the top of healthcare

Many of the biggest healthcare companies are in the pharmaceutical business, which brings some unique risks, but also the potential for outsize returns. The development of new products often requires a lengthy regulatory process. If a company's product may have harmed a consumer, there's a possibility of a lawsuit.

However, companies with successful and innovative treatments often grow quickly. Eli Lilly is a good example, as it has soared on the popularity of its weight-loss drugs.

Even with the risks, healthcare can be an attractive sector for investors. Some of the top healthcare companies pay high dividends, which is great for investors looking to build passive income. Healthcare stocks also tend to be resistant to market downturns. After all, no matter how the economy is doing, people always need healthcare.

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Largest healthcare companies FAQ

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About the Author

Lyle Daly is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering information technology and cryptocurrency. Lyle has been a contributor at the financial services company since 2018. His work has been featured on USA Today, Yahoo Finance, MSN, Fox Business, and Nasdaq. Before joining The Motley Fool, he wrote for financial brands including Intuit.

TMFLyleDaly

@LyleDaly

Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends AbbVie, Abbott Laboratories, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Merck, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. The Motley Fool recommends Johnson & Johnson, Solventum, and UnitedHealth Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The Largest Healthcare Companies by Market Cap in September 2026

Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, and AbbVie are the biggest companies by market cap in the healthcare sector

Key Points

Largest companies by market cap in the healthcare sector

1. Eli Lilly

Key Data Points

2. Johnson & Johnson

Key Data Points

3. AbbVie

Key Data Points

4. Merck

Key Data Points

5. UnitedHealth Group

Key Data Points

6. Novartis

Key Data Points

7. AstraZeneca

Key Data Points

8. Amgen

Key Data Points

9. Thermo Fisher Scientific

Key Data Points

10. Abbott Laboratories

Key Data Points

Drug makers and diversified giants split the top of healthcare

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Pharmaceutical tariffs: Which countries does the U.S. import the most from?

Methodology

Largest healthcare companies FAQ

What are the largest healthcare companies?

What are the largest healthcare companies?

How to invest in healthcare stocks?

How to invest in healthcare stocks?

Is healthcare a good investment?

Is healthcare a good investment?

About the Author

Read Next

Stocks Mentioned

Motley Fool Stock Advisor’s Latest Pick

Premium Investing Services

1. Eli Lilly

Key Data Points

2. Johnson & Johnson

Key Data Points

3. AbbVie

Key Data Points

4. Merck

Key Data Points

5. UnitedHealth Group

Key Data Points

6. Novartis

Key Data Points

7. AstraZeneca

Key Data Points

8. Amgen

Key Data Points

9. Thermo Fisher Scientific

Key Data Points

Drug makers and diversified giants split the top of healthcare

4 Best Healthcare ETFs for 2026 and How to Invest

5 Best Healthcare REIT Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

6 Best Health Insurance Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

Pharmaceutical tariffs: Which countries does the U.S. import the most from?

Methodology

Largest healthcare companies FAQ

What are the largest healthcare companies?

What are the largest healthcare companies?

How to invest in healthcare stocks?

How to invest in healthcare stocks?

Is healthcare a good investment?

Is healthcare a good investment?

10. Abbott Laboratories

Key Data Points