Biotech ETFs: Best bets on health care reform

Posted Jul 10th 2009 11:40AM by Steven Halpern @ www.bloggingstocks.com
Filed under: Newsletters, ETF Investing, Stocks to Buy, Obama Picks

"Health care reform could mean opportunities for astute investors," says Brandon Clay in his Invest With an Edge.

Here, eyes two biotech ETFs that "should be on everyone's watch list." The advisor notes, "With health care on the front burner in Washington, these biotechnology ETFs may finally be ready to pop."

"Investors in health care should think outside the realm of traditional pharmaceutical companies and health insurers. Those sectors are each facing headwinds that make stock picking difficult.

"In addition, several big pharma companiesare desperate to reload their empty pipelines in the face of increased competition from generic drug makers.

"Acquiring a smaller biotech firm is the easiest way for a pharma giant to find a potential new blockbuster drug.

"The best way to play the government-sponsored health care boom is through biotech ETFs. Today, we focus on the two that should be on everyone's watch list.

"As a trading vehicle, we like the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Trust (NYSE: IBB), the most popular and liquid of the biotech ETFs with an average trading volume of nearly one million shares per day.

"The bid/ask spreads are typically well maintained, even though it holds 123 stocks. This ETF mirrors the performance of the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index and has been steadily advancing the past two months.

"For longer-term investors, we like the S&P SPDR Biotech ETF (ASE: XBI), which holds 25 equally weighted stocks and tracks the S&P Biotechnology Select Index.

"XBI does a good job of mixing solid large cap names such as Amgen (AMGN) and Gilead Sciences (GILD) with riskier small cap fare. This ensures good diversification within the biotech space and gives you the opportunity to profit from the smaller players.

"XBI lagged the market dramatically since late February, making now a great opportunity to get on board without the risk of buying an overextended ETF.

"With health care on the front burner in Washington, these biotechnology ETFs may finally be ready to pop after missing the recent market rally.

"They offer exciting profit potential on Washington's next boondoggle, and their defensive characteristics may insulate investors if the market turns down again. To play health care reform defensively, go with IBB or XBI."

Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers a free daily overview of the favorite stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.