There have been some major demand-side developments in the healthcare industry in recent years, most notably being driven by an aging global population, growth in the mental health awareness movement, and COVID-19. As a result, healthcare companies with established research and development processes and global supply chains have become a shrewd choice for investors.
This article lists some of the best healthcare stocks to buy right now, placing a focus on each company’s specialization within the sector and discussing why the stocks could be a great pick.
The best healthcare stocks to buy in 2025
- Lilly(Eli) & Co (LLY) – Leading in diabetes and obesity treatments with a strong pipeline
- Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) – Healthcare giant with pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer health products
- Pfizer Inc. (PFE) – Known for vaccines and blockbuster drugs, focusing on innovation and expansion
- Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) – Strong oncology and vaccine portfolio, including Keytruda
- Abbott Laboratories (ABT) – Specializes in diagnostics, medical devices, and nutrition products
- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) – Leader in antiviral treatments, including HIV and hepatitis drugs
- Amgen Inc. (AMGN) – Biotech pioneer focusing on innovative therapies for serious diseases
- Biogen Inc. (BIIB) – Focuses on neuroscience, including treatments for Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO) – Provides essential tools and services for biotech and pharma research
- UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) – Largest U.S. health insurer with strong healthcare services
- Medtronic plc (MDT) – Global leader in medical devices, specializing in cardiovascular and diabetes care
- AbbVie Inc (ABBV) – Known for immunology and oncology drugs, including Humira and Rinvoq
- Bristol Myers Squibb Company (BMY) – Focuses on oncology, immunology, and cardiovascular treatments
Ranking the best healthcare companies for investors in 2025
This section will cover each of the top 13 healthcare stocks to buy, their specializations, and why they represent a good pick in 2025. Let’s dive right in.
1. Lilly(Eli) & Co (LLY)
Eli Lilly & Co is a leader in diabetes and obesity treatments, with top-selling drugs like Mounjaro and Trulicity. The company’s strong R&D pipeline extends into oncology, immunology, and neuroscience, positioning it for continued growth. As global healthcare demand rises, LLY remains a strong long-term investment choice.
Your capital is at risk. Other fees may apply. For more information, check out our how to invest in Lilly(Eli) & Co guide.
2. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Johnson & Johnson is a well-established multinational corporation with a strong presence in the healthcare sector. The company is known for its consumer products that span healthcare and cosmetics, and it has built a strong reputation as a trusted brand as a result.
Additionally, Johnson & Johnson is a leader in pharmaceutical innovation and invests heavily in the research and development of new drugs. JNJ stock provides good dividends, which could help boost investment returns by providing consistent income to shareholders on a quarterly basis.
Your capital is at risk. Other fees may apply. For more information, check out our how to invest in Johnson & Johnson guide.
3. Pfizer Inc. (PFE)
Pfizer pierced public consciousness by developing a globally promoted vaccine for COVID-19, owing to the company’s advanced pharmaceutical research and development processes. A key benefit of buying PFE stock is that the company provides good dividends to shareholders on a quarterly basis.
Your capital is at risk. Other fees may apply. For more information, check out our how to invest in Pfizer guide.
4. Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)
Merck & Co is known for its contributions to medical science and breakthrough therapies, placing a focus on immuno-oncology at the core of its research and development practices. It has a very good reputation in terms of medical ethics and has an extensive portfolio of widely used vaccines for illnesses such as measles, mumps, and rubella.
Your capital is at risk. Other fees may apply. For more information, check out our how to invest in Merck & Co guide.
5. Abbott Laboratories (ABT)
Abbott Laboratories is a diversified healthcare company with a range of products and services. The company operates in diagnostics, medical devices, nutrition, and established pharmaceuticals, and is particularly well known for its development of breakthrough diagnostics technologies.
Your capital is at risk. Other fees may apply. For more information, check out our how to invest in Abbott Laboratories guide.
6. Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD)
Gilead Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company known for its focus on developing and commercializing innovative therapies, particularly in the areas of antiviral drugs and liver diseases. Gilead gained attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for its antiviral drug remdesivir, which received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the treatment of the virus.
Your capital is at risk. Other fees may apply. For more information, check out our how to invest in Gilead Sciences guide.
7. Amgen Inc. (AMGN)
Amgen is renowned for its innovative work in biotechnology, particularly in the development of biologic drugs. Biologics are often used to treat complex diseases, and Amgen’s industry-leading research and development in the field have given it tremendous value within the global healthcare industry.
Your capital is at risk. Other fees may apply. For more information, check out our how to invest in Amgen guide.
8. Biogen Inc. (BIIB)
Biogen is a biotechnology company known for its focus on developing therapies for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Due to the aging population in western markets, Biogen could represent a shrewd investment over the coming decades as neurodegenerative diseases are particularly common in older demographics.
Your capital is at risk. Other fees may apply. For more information, check out our how to invest in Biogen guide.
9. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO)
Thermo Fisher Scientific is a leading life sciences company known for its broad range of products and services in the fields of scientific research, healthcare, and diagnostics. The company provided diagnostic tests, laboratory equipment, and other critical supplies to support COVID-19 testing and research, which led to price appreciation for TMO stock.
Buy Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock
Your capital is at risk. Other fees may apply. For more information, check out our how to invest in Thermo Fisher Scientific guide.
10. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH)
UnitedHealth Group is a diversified healthcare company and one of the largest health insurers in the United States. The U.S. healthcare industry operates differently from many other first-world countries, in that healthcare is not supplied as a public good but rather it’s a fully private industry in which insurance plays an important role for affordability. As a result, UnitedHealth looks set to remain an important player in the sector and could be a great investment.
Your capital is at risk. Other fees may apply. For more information, check out our how to invest in UnitedHealth Group guide.
11. Medtronic plc (MDT)
Medtronic is a global medical technology company that supplies a broad portfolio of medical devices to hospitals and other healthcare centers. Its technological research and development make the company stand out from other options on this list, as Medtronic has positioned itself within an important industry vertical as a well-trusted brand.
12. AbbVie Inc (ABBV)
AbbVie is a pharmaceutical company known for its focus on research and development in various therapeutic areas. The company’s flagship product, Humira, is one of the most popular treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and has become a best-seller as a result. Additionally, ABBV stocks are known to provide consistently good dividends to shareholders.
Your capital is at risk. Other fees may apply. For more information, check out our how to invest in AbbVie guide.
13. Bristol Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global pharmaceutical company with a focus on developing and commercializing innovative medicines. The company is a leader in oncology and has a healthy financial performance, and also invests in schemes to improve patient access and affordability for medical treatments around the world.
Buy Bristol Myers Squibb Stock
Your capital is at risk. Other fees may apply. For more information, check out our how to invest in Bristol Myers Squibb guide.
The bottom line
As a growing global industry that is in perpetual demand, healthcare stocks can be some of the most secure ways to protect and grow capital over the long term. Each of the companies on our list represents strong picks, but there are other options out there as well. From consumer products, to medical devices and technologies, to the research and development of new medicines, the most influential healthcare companies provide important services for people all over the world, and therefore represent a strong addition to any investment portfolio.
If you want to invest in other fields as well, such as computing, check out our list of the best semiconductor stocks to buy.