AZN - Underperformance of healthcare sector masks its return to normalcy: WSJ

The S&P 500 Health Care index has returned ~6.9% so far this year lagging the ~11.4% gain in the overall index.The underperformance ‘belies the reality’ that the sector which accounts for ~18% of the national gross domestic product, has mostly returned to normal after months of pandemic-related disruption, argues Charley Grant in an opinion piece on the Wall Street Journal.With consensus beating Q1 financials from UnitedHealth ([[UNH]] -0.1%), the earnings season for the first quarter of 2021 is off to a solid start notes Grant who also points to the strength in the sector’s deal activity.He cites the regulatory clearance for the merger between AstraZeneca ([[AZN]] +2.0%) and Alexion ([[ALXN]] +1.3%) and the acquisition of PPD ([[PPD]] -0.0%) by Thermo Fisher ([[TMO]] -0.6%).Despite the uncertainty related to key factors such as insurance coverage and drug pricing, the healthcare industry continues to enjoy long-term tailwinds such as an aging demographic.Highlighting the remarks from Pfizer CEO Alfred Bourla on the need

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Underperformance of healthcare sector masks its return to normalcy: WSJ