{"id":31603,"date":"2023-07-07T08:31:18","date_gmt":"2023-07-07T00:31:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umedic.com.my\/Stagging2025\/?p=31603"},"modified":"2023-07-31T08:38:49","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T00:38:49","slug":"umedic-group-berhad-hlib-maintains-overweight-call-on-healthcare-sector","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/umedic.com.my\/Stagging2025\/umedic-group-berhad-hlib-maintains-overweight-call-on-healthcare-sector\/","title":{"rendered":"UMediC Group Berhad | HLIB maintains \u2018overweight\u2019 call on healthcare sector"},"content":{"rendered":"
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PETALING JAYA: Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) has retained its optimistic view on the healthcare sector, supported by resilient and steadfast demand for healthcare services.<\/p>\n

In a sector update today, the research house highlighted that hospital operators under its coverage have experienced higher patient volume, indicating a strong and steady demand for their services.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The growth was witnessed even during the festive season in the first quarter of 2023, noted HLIB.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the increased allocation to the health ministry, Pharmaniaga Bhd, UMediC Group Bhd and UEM Edgenta Bhd are poised to benefit from enhanced procurement of drugs, consumables, and medical equipment, as well as potential work orders and equipment maintenance opportunities,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n

The research house maintained its \u201coverweight\u201d call on the sector due to its defensive characteristics and resilience, the note stated.<\/p>\n

Among hospital operators under its coverage, HLIB has identified KPJ Healthcare Bhd as its top pick with a \u201cbuy\u201d call and target price of RM1.50.<\/p>\n

The group, said HLIB, has strong prospects due to its defensive qualities, ongoing expansion of current hospitals, growing medical tourism contribution and divestment of unprofitable Indonesian assets.<\/p>\n

\u201cPharmaniaga Bhd is the only healthcare company in our coverage with a \u2018sell\u2019 rating, primarily due to the uncertainty surrounding its timeline for the lifting of its PN17 (Practice Note 17) status,\u201d HLIB said.<\/p>\n

Pharmaniaga was classified in the PN17 category in February this year after it posted a RM664.39 million net loss in the fourth quarter of FY2022.<\/p>\n

At market close today, Pharmaniaga\u2019s share price was up 0.5 sen or 1.39% at 36.5 sen, giving it a market capitalisation of RM478.23 million.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, KPJ Healthcare\u2019s share price was flat at RM1.11, giving it a market capitalisation of RM5.02 billion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  PETALING JAYA: Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) has retained its optimistic view on the healthcare sector, supported by resilient and steadfast demand for healthcare services. In a sector update today, the research house highlighted that hospital operators under its coverage have experienced higher patient volume, indicating a strong and steady demand for their services. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":129,"featured_media":28859,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"

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UMediC Group Berhad (KLSE:UMC<\/a>) Second Quarter 2023 Results<\/h2>\r\n

Key Financial Results<\/h3>\r\n