By Doug Busch
Several non-biotech healthcare stocks are starting to show real momentum, breaking out of bases and asserting themselves as leaders in the sector. With improving volume patterns, accelerating relative strength, and clean technical setups, this group of medical technology, services, and equipment stocks is quickly becoming one of the strongest pockets in the market. As buyers rotate toward areas showing sustained upside follow-through, these healthcare names look poised to extend their momentum and deliver standout performance in the weeks ahead.
The iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF has gained just 3% over the last year, but its weekly chart is now constructing a handle on a cup base that started in September 2021. The fact that the ETF is holding up well with two of its three largest holdings -- Abbott Labs and Boston Scientific -- each down 14% from their most recent 52 week highs is encouraging. Some other names I am monitoring include Cooper Companies, which surged last week on earnings but was firmly rejected at the very round $90 number and is now filling in that gap. Here are three other stocks outside biotech that look promising heading into year end.
GE HealthCare Technologies Inc., which designs and sells medical imaging and patient-monitoring equipment, is up just 1% over the last 12 months and 6% year to date, but just broke above a pesky resistance level: Since the start of May, the stock has traded in a very tight range between the round $70 and $80 numbers. On the ratio chart against the iShares medical device ETF, it began to perk higher against rivals. Last week it broke above a long weekly bullish ascending triangle pivot of $80 rising 7%, which was its second-best weekly return of 2025. The pattern began not long after a bearish evening star during the last week of February, but really started to take shape following the massive 24% loss in early April. Enter here and look for a path toward the very round $100 number, corresponding to a gain of 17% from here, in early 2026. Remain bullish above $76.
GE Healthcare traded around $83 Tuesday.
STERIS plc, an Irish maker of sterilization and infection prevention equipment, has gained 21% over the past year and now trades just 3% below its 52-week high. The stock deserves respect for holding near the top of its powerful 12% surge during the week ending Nov. 21, which came on the second-strongest weekly volume of 2025.
Technically, it has shown standout relative strength against medical equipment peers, as the ratio chart versus the iShares medical device EF has trended higher all year. The stock cleared two important bases in 2025, first a double-bottom pivot at $229.11 on May 12, then a bullish ascending-triangle pivot at $253 on Nov. 6, when shares jumped 7% following their fourth straight positive earnings reaction of the year. The stock has now carved out a constructive bull flag formation, offering an entry here with an opportunity to add above the $270 pivot. A move toward $315 by mid-2026 looks attainable, corresponding to 21% from current prices. The technical outlook remains bullish as long as the stock holds above $249.
STERIS plc traded around $261 Tuesday.
Hinge Health Inc., a recent IPO, has risen 10% over the last month yet still trades 21% off most recent 52-week high, which occurred in late August. That volatility is true to form for new issues, but give it credit for already producing a couple of proper bases.
Technically, the stock is on a three-week winning streak, just its second since going public this May. The streak began with a bullish engulfing candle that jumped 12% on its best weekly volume yet. Round number theory has come into play with a double top near $60 after the completion of a bearish morning star on Aug. 8, which slipped 8%, and a shooting star candle on Sept. 23. That came after a bull flag breakout with a pivot at $50 on Aug. 6, which screamed higher by 26%. A doji candle on Nov. 14, which is adept at calling for changes in the prevailing direction, was a good indication that a low was put in place. Enter here and add to above a double bottom pivot of $53.90. I think this stock can hit $64 in the first quarter of 2026, which would be a gain of 30%. Remain bullish above $46.
Hinge Health Inc., traded around $49 Tuesday.
Doug Busch is the senior technical analyst at Barron's Investor Circle . His technical view is added to stock picks, including those published exclusively for Investor Circle readers. A glossary of technical terms is updated regularly with new entries.
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
December 09, 2025 11:32 ET (16:32 GMT)
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