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Despite inflation making it hard for the healthcare industry to manage its operating costs, there are a few positives that make this sector attractive to investors. The demand for healthcare is increasing, and the healthcare jobs market is improving as well.

Both of these factors are expected to help the healthcare industry overcome inflationary pressures. If you are looking to invest in this sector, then to help you select, detailed below are the five best and worst performing healthcare stocks in December 2022.

Five Best Performing Healthcare Stocks in December 2022

We have used the December return data of healthcare stocks from finviz.com to develop this list of the five best and worst performing healthcare stocks in December 2022. We have only considered large-cap healthcare stocks for our list. First, let's start with the five best performing healthcare stocks in December of 2022.

5. Teleflex Incorporated (TFX) (7%)

Teleflex Incorporated shares are down by almost 6% year-to-date and down over 27% in the last year. As of this writing, Teleflex shares were recently seen trading above $235 with a 52-week range of around $182.65 to $356.72, giving the company a market capitalization of more than $11 billion. The company posted revenue of more than $2.80 billion in 2021, up from over $2.50 billion in 2020.

4. Align Technology, Inc. (ALGN) (7%)

Align Technology, Inc. shares are up by over 12% year-to-date but are down by almost 49% in the last year. Align Technology shares were recently seen trading above $243 with a 52-week range of around $172.05 to $552.00, giving the company a market cap of more than $18 billion. The company posted revenue of more than $3.90 billion in 2021, up from over $2.40 billion in 2020.

3. Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) (8%)

Universal Health Services, Inc. shares are up by almost 4% year-to-date and up almost 14% in the last year. Universal Health Services shares were recently seen trading above $149 with a 52-week range of around $82.50 to $158.28, giving the company a market cap of more than $10.6 billion. The company posted revenue of more than $12.60 billion in 2021, up from over $11.50 billion in 2020.

2. Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ALNY) (8%)

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. shares are down by almost 4% year-to-date but are up over 67% in the last year. Alnylam Pharmaceuticals shares were recently seen trading above $229 with a 52-week range of around $117.58 to $242.97, giving the company a market cap of more than $28.2 billion. The company posted revenue of more than $844 million in 2021, up from over $492 million in 2020.

1. BeiGene, Ltd. (BGNE) (15%)

Beigene, Ltd. shares are up by almost 25% year-to-date and up over 9% in the last year. BeiGene shares were recently seen trading above $266 with a 52-week range of around $118.18 to $279.12, giving the company a market capitalization of more than $28.7 billion. The company posted revenue of more than $9.10 billion in 2021, up from over $2.30 billion in 2020.

Now, let's move on to the worst performing healthcare stocks in December of 2022.

Five Worst Performing Healthcare Stocks in December 2022

Here are the five worst performing healthcare stocks in December 2022.

5. Baxter International Inc. (BAX) (-10%)

Baxter International Inc. shares are down by over 14% year-to-date and down over 49% in the last year. Baxter International shares were recently seen trading above $43 with a 52-week range of around $43.36 to $89.70, giving the company a market cap of more than $22.1 billion. The company posted revenue of more than $12.70 billion in 2021, up from over $11.60 billion in 2020.

4. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) (-10%)

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. shares are down by over 5% year-to-date and down over 32% in the last year. Walgreens Boots Alliance shares were recently seen trading above $35 with a 52-week range of around $30.39 to $53.46, giving the company a market cap of more than $30.9 billion. The company posted revenue of more than $132 billion in 2021, up from over $121 billion in 2020.

3. Royalty Pharma plc (RPRX) (-10%)

Royalty Pharma plc shares are down by over 3% year-to-date and down over 2% in the last year. Royalty Pharma shares were recently seen trading above $38 with a 52-week range of around $36.15 to $44.75, giving the company a market capitalization of more than $16 billion.

2. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY) (-10%)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company shares are up by almost 3% year-to-date and up over 16% in the last year. Bristol Myers Squibb shares were recently seen trading above $74 with a 52-week range of around $61.19 to $81.44, giving the company a market capitalization of more than $157 billion. The company posted revenue of more than $46 billion in 2021, up from over $42 billion in 2020.

1. Veeva Systems Inc. (VEEV) (-15%)

Veeva Systems Inc. shares are down by almost 2% year-to-date and down almost 29% in the last year. Veeva Systems shares were recently seen trading above $162 with a 52-week range of around $151.02 to $239.67, giving the company a market cap of more than $25 billion. The company posted revenue of more than $1.80 billion in 2021, up from over $1.40 billion in 2020.

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