Medical stocks LLY & HCA can help you save money

Many people's New Year's resolution is to save more money, but few of them think of stock investing as a way to do it. However, in fact, as long as you choose the right stocks, buying stocks can actually be a great way to save money.

The healthcare industry may not be an exciting place to pick stocks, but healthcare is a strong demand that has stood the test of time, and its long-term characteristics fit the idea of saving money.

Without further consideration, $Eli Lilly(LLY)$ and $HCA Holdings Inc(HCA)$, two health care stocks, are for investors who want to buy shares to save money.

1. $Eli Lilly(LLY)$

Hot stocks are not always good long-term investment targets, but Eli Lilly is an exception. Last year, newly approved weight loss drug Zepbound turned the biotech company into a hot weight loss stock.

Zepbound, which was launched in 2022 as a treatment for type 2 diabetes (trade name Mounjaro), was approved for weight loss this year and is expected to be approved for many other indications in the future, from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

In addition to Zepbound as a revenue driver, the drugmaker's portfolio recently received a major update, including cancer drug Jaypirca and ulcerative colitis treatment Omvoh.

Lilly also has two pending product candidates for approval, including lebrikizumab, an eczema drug that was rejected last year because of manufacturing problems, and donanemab, an Alzheimer's disease candidate with promising results in late-stage clinical trials.

Thanks to a strong product line, Lilly's financial results should remain robust this year. In the first nine months of 2023, the company's revenue grew 17% year-over-year to $24.8 billion, and analysts expect annual revenue growth of 28.7% over the next five years. Finally, Lilly is a good dividend stock.

2. $HCA Holdings Inc(HCA)$

HCA Healthcare owns and operates a network of medical facilities, primarily hospitals, and the company is one of the leaders in this field. The company's medical facilities are concentrated in Florida and Texas, but almost all other states are covered as well.

HCA Healthcare's business took a noticeable hit during the outbreak, with facility occupancy rates fluctuating wildly and becoming unpredictable. Initially during the pandemic, the healthcare giant had to use more expensive contract workers.

However, the impact of these headwinds is fading, and last year's financial results were good. For the year ended September 30, 2023, HCA Healthcare's revenue increased 6.5% year-over-year to $47.7 billion, and earnings per share increased 9% to $13.07.

Moreover, the rebound will continue. Building a network of well-equipped medical facilities is a highly capital-intensive investment, which is the first step to success. Second, HCA Healthcare has built deep relationships with different players in the healthcare industry that are difficult for newcomers to replicate.

Therefore, unless there is a significant change, the company's leading position as a hospital chain will remain unchallenged. Even compared to its existing competitors, HCA Healthcare stands out, with its market share increasing from 23% in 2011 to 27% by the end of 2020. As the population continues to age and healthcare needs continue to grow, the success story of this healthcare stock will likely continue.