The COVID-19 pandemic triggered massive volatility in the stock market, with increased instability in recent weeks as surging cases have led to a rush of people looking for tests. We've rounded up 9 stocks in companies that produce or sell COVID tests.
The best stocks depend on your portfolio and investment goals. While volatility can be ideal for day traders, long-term investors will want to look to stocks with steadier gains over time.
9 popular covid testing stocks to watch
We round up a selection of stocks in or related to the covid-19 testing industry, weighting the list more heavily towards popular mid- and large-cap stocks.
| Best stock | 1-year return | Market cap | Exchange | Volume | Buy now on CIBC Investor's Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbott Laboratories (ABT.US) | (data unavailable) | $222.8 billion (USD) | NYSE | (data unavailable) | Buy now |
| Quidel Corporation (QDEL.US) | (data unavailable) | $1.9 billion (USD) | NASDAQ | (data unavailable) | Buy now |
| Cue Health (HLTH.US) | (data unavailable) | $6.9 million (USD) | NASDAQ | (data unavailable) | Buy now |
| N/A (LHDX.US) | (data unavailable) | (data unavailable) | N/A | (data unavailable) | Buy now |
| Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA.US) | (data unavailable) | $10.4 billion (USD) | NASDAQ | (data unavailable) | Buy now |
| CVS Health (CVS.US) | (data unavailable) | $102 billion (USD) | NYSE | (data unavailable) | Buy now |
| Agilent Technologies (A.US) | (data unavailable) | $43.5 billion (USD) | NYSE | (data unavailable) | Buy now |
| Hologic (HOLX.US) | (data unavailable) | $16.7 billion (USD) | NASDAQ | (data unavailable) | Buy now |
| Laboratory Corporation of America (LH.US) | (data unavailable) | $22.3 billion (USD) | NYSE | (data unavailable) | Buy now |
What to look for when investing in covid testing stock
The covid-19 testing industry is affected by a range of complex factors such as trade policies, regulations, and fluctuating supply and demand. So when considering covid testing stocks to buy, it's important that you have access to vital information about a company's financial health, leadership team, and market positioning.
Also keep in mind that, while volatility can be ideal for day traders, long-term investors will want to look for stocks to offer steadier gains over time.
How to invest in covid testing stock
- Research the covid-19 testing industry. Before investing, learn about the covid testing stock sector, its trends and the companies within it. Look at each company's financial health, potential for growth and past performance to identify stocks that fit your investment goals.
- Choose a stock trading platform. Compare trading fees, access to trading tools and user interface options. We've identified reliable trading platforms to help narrow down your options below or check out the best stock trading apps in Canada to find one that suits your needs.
- Open and fund your account. Sign up with your personal details and link a bank account or funding method to deposit money before you start trading.
- Select the covid testing stock(s) to buy. Search by company name or ticker symbol, like ABT or CVS. Compare key metrics such as market cap, price history and earnings per share to pick the best stock for your strategy.
- Buy the stock and monitor performance. Place your order to buy the stock and track its performance over time. Consider setting alerts, signing up for industry newsletters or using platform research tools to stay up to date on market changes.
Our top picks for where to buy covid testing stocks
Are covid testing stocks a good investment?
While it's possible to turn a profit investing in covid testing stocks, keep in mind that—like any investment—covid testing stocks are not immune to risk. These stocks are subject to fluctuating conditions both in the market and in the covid-19 testing industry, so carefully vet your picks before you invest.What are the best covid testing stocks?
A lot of factors go into picking the best covid testing stocks. Stock performance can be impacted by factors like market conditions, company decisions and global events. Plus, what may be a strong covid testing stock investment for one person might not be suitable for another.
That said, we rounded up this list of popular covid testing stocks in or related to the covid-19 testing industry to help narrow down your options:
- Abbott Laboratories (ABT)
- Quidel Corporation (QDEL)
- Cue Health (HLTH)
- N/A (N/A)
- Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA)
- CVS Health (CVS)
- Agilent Technologies (A)
- Hologic (HOLX)
- Laboratory Corporation of America (LH)
Keep in mind that this is not a "best" list or a recommendation. It highlights some covid testing stocks for informational purposes only and does not indicate past or future performance or investment advice. We do not guarantee any investment performance.
We've outlined detailed company and stock performance details for each covid testing stock below. Keep reading to decide if any of these companies are the right investment for you.
Abbott Laboratories (ABT)
Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, hypertriglyceridemia, Ménière's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.
| Market Capitalization | $222.8 billion |
|---|---|
| Gross profit (TTM) | $24.7 billion |
| Profit margin | 31.88% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $43.8 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | $7.96 |
| 52-week stock price range | $109.21 – $139.33 |
Quidel Corporation (QDEL)
QuidelOrtho Corporation provides diagnostic testing solutions. The company operates through Labs, Transfusion Medicine, Point of Care, and Molecular Diagnostics business units. The Labs business unit provides clinical chemistry laboratory instruments and tests that measure target chemicals in bodily fluids for the evaluation of health and the clinical management of patients; immunoassay laboratory instruments and tests, which measure proteins as they act as antigens in the spread of disease, antibodies in the immune response spurred by disease, or markers of proper organ function and health; testing products to detect and monitor disease progression across a spectrum of therapeutic areas; and specialized diagnostic solutions.
| Market Capitalization | $1.9 billion |
|---|---|
| Gross profit (TTM) | $1.3 billion |
| Profit margin | -43.45% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.7 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | -$17.41 |
| 52-week stock price range | $19.50 – $49.45 |
Cue Health (HLTH)
Cue Health Inc. operates as a healthcare technology company. It provides the Cue Health platform that offers individuals and healthcare providers convenient and personalized access to lab-quality diagnostic tests at home and at the point-of-care, as well as on-demand telehealth consultations and treatment options for a range of health and wellness needs.
| Market Capitalization | $6.9 million |
|---|---|
| Gross profit (TTM) | $-17,949,000 |
| Revenue (TTM) | $56.2 million |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | -$2.13 |
N/A (N/A)
N/A. . .
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA)
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. operates as a healthcare, pharmacy, and retail company in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through three segments: U.
| Market Capitalization | $10.4 billion |
|---|---|
| Gross profit (TTM) | $26.5 billion |
| Profit margin | -4.07% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $154.6 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | -$7.29 |
| 52-week stock price range | $8.35 – $13.25 |
CVS Health (CVS)
CVS Health Corporation provides health solutions in the United States. It operates through Health Care Benefits, Health Services, and Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segments. The Health Care Benefits segment offers traditional, voluntary, and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental and behavioral health plans, medical management capabilities, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, PDPs and Medicaid health care management services.
| Market Capitalization | $102 billion |
|---|---|
| Gross profit (TTM) | $52.3 billion |
| Profit margin | 0.12% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $391.7 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | $0.38 |
| 52-week stock price range | $41.77 – $85.15 |
Agilent Technologies (A)
Agilent Technologies, Inc. provides application focused solutions to the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Life Sciences and Applied Markets, Diagnostics and Genomics, and Agilent CrossLab.
| Market Capitalization | $43.5 billion |
|---|---|
| Gross profit (TTM) | $3.6 billion |
| Profit margin | 18.75% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $6.9 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | $4.57 |
| 52-week stock price range | $96.03 – $160.27 |
Hologic (HOLX)
Hologic, Inc. engages in the development, manufacture, and supply of diagnostics products, medical imaging systems, and surgical products for women's health through early detection and treatment worldwide. It operates through four segments: Diagnostics, Breast Health, GYN Surgical, and Skeletal Health.
| Market Capitalization | $16.7 billion |
|---|---|
| Gross profit (TTM) | $2.5 billion |
| Profit margin | 13.80% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $4.1 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | $2.49 |
| 52-week stock price range | $51.90 – $80.31 |
Laboratory Corporation of America (LH)
Labcorp Holdings Inc. provides laboratory services. It operates through two segments, Diagnostics Laboratories and Biopharma Laboratory Services.
| Market Capitalization | $22.3 billion |
|---|---|
| Gross profit (TTM) | $3.9 billion |
| Profit margin | 6.21% |
| Revenue (TTM) | $13.8 billion |
| Earnings per share (TTM) | $10.19 |
| 52-week stock price range | $207.68 – $292.94 |
Compare trading platforms to buy COVID testing stock
Compare special offers, low fees and a wide range of investment options among popular trading platforms in Canada. Note that the dollar amounts in the table below are in CAD.
Finder Score for stock trading platforms
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