Many investors believe in the January Effect, or the idea that the stock market tends to go on a run during the first month of the year. Whether or not this effect is real, investing in a company based on it is not a good idea. Investors would be better off focusing on the performance of stocks over the long run and not just during one month.

That said, let's look at two corporations that have what it takes to deliver solid returns to patient, long-term investors: CRISPR Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CRSP) and Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG). Here's why these healthcare companies are worth buying this month -- or most months, for that matter -- and holding onto for a while.

Shares of CRISPR Therapeutics are up by 26% over the past three months (as of this writing). That coincides with the company's first regulatory approval, that of Casgevy, for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia (TDT). These two rare blood diseases are hard to treat, but Casgevy, developed in collaboration with Vertex Pharmaceuticals, is a one-time cure. Casgevy's approval in the U.S. and several other countries is a significant step forward for CRISPR Therapeutics.

Continue reading

Source Fool.com