9 health insurance stocks to watch

The best health insurance 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 health insurance stocks to watch

We round up a selection of stocks in or related to the medical insurance industry, weighting the list more heavily towards popular mid- and large-cap stocks.

1. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH)
2. Aflac Incorporated (AFL)
3. MetLife (MET)
4. Humana (HUM)
5. HCA (HCA)
6. Oscar Health (OSCR)
7. Anthem (ANTM)
8. Primerica (PRI)
9. Globe Life (GL)

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The health insurance stocks industry is affected by a range of complex factors such as trade policies, regulations, and fluctuating supply and demand. So when considering health insurance stocks to buy, it's important that you have access to vital information about a company's financial health, leadership team, and market positioning.

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How to invest in health insurance stocks

1. Choose an online stock trading platform. Choose from our Top Picks above, use our comparison table below or jump straight to the best stock trading apps in Canada.
2. Sign up for an account. Provide your personal information and sign up.
3. Set up a funding method to pay for the transaction. Deposit funds into your account by linking your banking information.
4. Choose the stocks you want to buy. Search for the stock by name or ticker symbol like UNH or AFL.
5. Place your order. Buy the stock. It's that simple.

Learn more about popular health insurance stocks

We round up a selection of stocks in or related to the medical insurance industry, weighting the list more heavily towards popular mid- and large-cap US stocks.

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1. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

• Previous close price: $589.75
• Market capitalization: $551,169,753,088
• 1 year performance: 22.39%
• P/E ratio: 39.5285

Buy UNH stock on Interactive Brokers

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2. Aflac Incorporated (AFL)

Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. The company operates through Aflac Japan and Aflac U. S.

• Previous close price: $107.36
• Market capitalization: $61,266,841,600
• 1 year performance: 43.47%
• P/E ratio: 11.5158

Buy AFL stock on Interactive Brokers

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3. MetLife (MET)

MetLife, Inc. , a financial services company, provides insurance, annuities, employee benefits, and asset management services worldwide. It operates through six segments: Retirement and Income Solutions; Group Benefits; Asia; Latin America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and MetLife Holdings.

• Previous close price: $74.74
• Market capitalization: $53,630,881,792
• 1 year performance: 18.05%
• P/E ratio: 20.809

Buy MET stock on Interactive Brokers

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4. Humana (HUM)

Humana Inc. , together with its subsidiaries, provides medical and specialty insurance products in the United States. It operates through two segments, Insurance and CenterWell.

• Previous close price: $328.19
• Market capitalization: $41,389,391,872
• 1 year performance: -29.83%
• P/E ratio: 24.2085

Buy HUM stock on Interactive Brokers

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5. HCA (HCA)

HCA Healthcare, Inc. , through its subsidiaries, owns and operates hospitals and related healthcare entities in the United States. It operates general and acute care hospitals that offers medical and surgical services, including inpatient care, intensive care, cardiac care, diagnostic, and emergency services; and outpatient services, such as outpatient surgery, laboratory, radiology, respiratory therapy, cardiology, and physical therapy.

• Previous close price: $388.65
• Market capitalization: $99,345,588,224
• 1 year performance: 43.16%
• P/E ratio: 18.0813

Buy HCA stock on Interactive Brokers

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6. Oscar Health (OSCR)

Oscar Health, Inc. operates as a health insurance in the United States. The company offers health plans in individual and small group markets, as well as +Oscar, a technology driven platform that help providers and payors directly enable their shift to value-based care.

• Previous close price: $20.67
• Market capitalization: $4,226,149,888
• 1 year performance: 220.47%

Buy OSCR stock on Interactive Brokers

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7. Anthem (ANTM)

Anthem, Inc. , through its subsidiaries, operates as a health benefits company in the United States. It operates through four segments: Commercial & Specialty Business, Government Business, IngenioRx, and Other.

• Previous close price: $0.00
• Market capitalization: $116,342,792,192
• 1 year performance: N/A
• P/E ratio: 18.9917

Buy ANTM stock on Interactive Brokers

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8. Primerica (PRI)

Primerica, Inc. , together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services to middle-income households in the United States and Canada. The company operates in four segments: Term Life Insurance; Investment and Savings Products; Senior Health; and Corporate and Other Distributed Products.

• Previous close price: $249.66
• Market capitalization: $8,633,792,512
• 1 year performance: 23.85%
• P/E ratio: 20.4021

Buy PRI stock on Interactive Brokers

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9. Globe Life (GL)

Globe Life Inc. , through its subsidiaries, provides various life and supplemental health insurance products, and annuities to lower middle- and middle-income families in the United States. The company operates in four segments: Life Insurance, Supplemental Health Insurance, Annuities, and Investments.

• Previous close price: $101.34
• Market capitalization: $9,210,122,240
• 1 year performance: -8.23%
• P/E ratio: 9.2712

Buy GL stock on Interactive Brokers

Buy health insurance stocks from these online trading platforms

Compare special offers, low fees and a wide range of investment options among top trading platforms.

Note: The dollar amounts in the table below are in Canadian dollars.

Bottom line

While it's possible to turn a profit investing in health insurance stocks, keep in mind that—like any investment—health insurance stocks are not immune to risk. These stocks are subject to fluctuating conditions both in the market and in the medical insurance industry, so carefully vet your picks before you invest. If you're new to investing or if it's been a while since you've taken a critical look at your investment accounts, compare brokers to make sure you're getting the best trading features for your needs.

Related: How to buy stocks in Canada

Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Trading forex on leverage comes with a higher risk of losing money rapidly. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before making any trades.