Healthcare stocks, often considered recession-proof, have lagged most other sectors of the market so far this year. While the S 500 index is up by more than 16% and flirting with a return to bull market status, the healthcare sector is down by more than 2.5%.

That underperformance is not true of all healthcare stocks, of course. Some -- including (NYSE: MDT), CRISPR Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CRSP), and Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) -- are defying the downdraft. Let's take a closer look at these three stocks that are withstanding the bear market pressure.

Medtronic stock is up more than 4% so far this year. The medical device giant saw improved earnings thanks to the lessening of supply chain woes, some new product launches, and an increased pace of medical procedures (many of which were postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic).

Continue reading

Source Fool.com