With medical advancements and improved standard of living, life expectancy is only set to increase. In Singapore, people live an average of 84.8 years, beating even countries known for their long life expectancy such as Japan (84.1 years).
Read Also: Why You Need To Plan For Your Retirement Beyond Your Life Expectancy
While our life expectancy increases, this does not mean that we are always in good health. Health problems are common, and in some cases, more apparent than in previous decades. For example, more elderly in Singapore are suffering from chronic diseases today compared to a decade ago. Chronic diseases include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, arthritis, diabetes and more.
As the need for advanced, quality healthcare services increases, it’s also important to note that medical inflation in Singapore is on the rise, at 10% in 2018.
This week, we take a look at 4 stocks which are at the forefront of providing our citizens with healthcare services.
Raffles Medical Group (SGX: BSL)
Raffles Medical is an integrated healthcare provider, providing a wide range of healthcare services. While Raffles Medical’s business is largely in Singapore, it is present in approximately 14 cities in Singapore, China, Japan, Vietnam and Cambodia. In 2019, Raffles Medical opened its first hospital in China, located in Chongqing. Raffles Medical will also be opening their second hospital in Shanghai, China next year.
Raffles Medical’s integrated healthcare organisation comprises of a tertiary hospital, a network of family medicine and dental clinics, insurance services, Japanese and Traditional Chinese Medicine clinics, and a consumer healthcare division.
Raffles Medical is the longest listed company on this week’s list of 4 stocks, going public since 1997. Raffles Medical has consistently been paying shareholder dividends for many years. Most recently, shareholders were given $0.005 per share. At the start of 2019, Raffles Medical opened at $1.10. Since then it has been on a downward trend closing at $0.960 last Friday.
Thomson Medical Group
Thomson Medical is a private Singapore-based healthcare company that provides healthcare services for women and children, focusing on the areas of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics.
Thomson Medical provides services in segments including, maternity, cardiology, dermatology, aesthetics, children’s health, women’s health, health screening, traditional Chinese medicine and more.
Thomson Medical also has a Breast Centre situated within Thomson Medical Centre, dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of all breast-related concerns. Thomson Medical also has a Cancer Centre, Fertility Centre, Thomson Musculoskeletal Clinic for sports medicine and more.
In 2019, Thomson Medical has given out dividends of $0.00025 per share to its shareholders. Last Friday, Thomson Medical closed higher at $0.61.
Read Also: Here Are 5 Common Misconceptions Singaporeans Have About Private Hospitals
Singapore O&G (SGX: 1D8)
Singapore O&G provides specialized medical services, particularly focusing on women’s health and wellness. Singapore O&G, as its name suggests, provides medical services in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology segment. This includes services such as labour and delivery, general obstetrics, general gynecology and surgery, female pelvic medicine and more.
Besides Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Singapore O&G also provides medical services in cancer-related segment, more specifically medical services for gyne-oncology, breast and general surgery.
Singapore O&G also provides medical services for the dermatology segment, providing aesthetic dermatological procedures, dermatologic and laser surgery as well as general skin care.
Singapore O&G was listed in 2015, opening at $0.228. It’ share price reached highs of $0.74 in 2017. Last Friday, Singapore O&G closed at $0.360.
Read Also: Maternity Leave: Understanding Your Rights As A Pregnant Employee In Singapore
Singapore Medical (SGX: 5OT)
Singapore Medical (SingMedical) operates through three main segments, namely: health business, aesthetics business and others.
Under health business, Singmedical provides medical services such as general ophthalmological services (such as cataract surgery), orthopedic services, oncology services, obstetrical and gynecological services, dermatology services, and general medicine and health screening services.
For SingMedical’s aesthetics business, this includes services such as refractive surgery services; dental services and aesthetics medicine services. Under the others segment, this consists of group-level corporate services and business consultancy functions.
SingMedical currently does not pay out dividends to its shareholders. SingMedical has been on a downward trend since the start of 2019 when it opened at $0.405. Last Friday, SingMedical closed at $0.315.
4 Stocks This Week is not a recommendation from us to buy or sell any of these stocks. For investors who are keen to find out more, you should continue researching about them before making your investment decisions.
Advertiser Message
Dive Into The Latest Market Updates And Research Reports
With over 25,000 subscribers, SGX Invest Telegram channel has expanded since 2020 to bring you more than just market insights, updates on sector and stock performances, plus all the happenings in Singapore's securities market, tailored for individual investors like you.