Are ASX Healthcare Stocks Still a Buy According to Broker Consensus Ratings?

Sonal Goyal

21 March 2026 07:50 AM AEDT

Are ASX Healthcare Stocks Still a Buy According to Broker Consensus Ratings?

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Highlights

EODHD/Others consensus ratings show strong positive sentiment across healthcare stocks, with CSL, ResMed, and Sigma Healthcare all rated “Buy”
Analyst target prices indicate significant upside potential, supported by strong earnings trends and structural growth drivers
Market confidence is driven by innovation, defensive demand, and expansion across global healthcare markets

The healthcare sector continues to stand out as one of the most resilient and structurally attractive segments in global equity markets. With consistent demand, innovation-led growth, and increasing global healthcare spending, the sector offers a compelling mix of defensive and growth characteristics.

For investors, analyst consensus ratings serve as a valuable tool to assess market sentiment and identify opportunities. This article examines three prominent healthcare stocks—CSL Limited (ASX:CSL), ResMed Inc. (ASX:RMD), and Sigma Healthcare Limited (ASX:SIG)—with a specific focus on EODHD/Others consensus ratings and target prices.

By analysing recent financial performance, share price trends, and strategic positioning, this report provides a comprehensive, data-driven comparison of how analysts are viewing these companies in 2026.

Sector Overview: Healthcare as a Defensive Growth Engine

Healthcare stocks occupy a unique position in equity markets. Unlike cyclical sectors, demand for healthcare products and services remains relatively stable, driven by demographic trends such as ageing populations and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases.

At the same time, innovation—particularly in biotechnology, medical devices, and digital health—is creating new growth opportunities. Companies that successfully combine these elements often attract strong analyst support.

EODHD/Others consensus ratings reflect these dynamics, with many healthcare stocks receiving favourable recommendations due to their long-term growth potential and resilience in uncertain economic environments.

CSL Limited: Buy Rating Backed by Global Leadership in Biotech

CSL Limited is one of the largest biotechnology companies globally, specialising in plasma-derived therapies, vaccines, and specialty pharmaceuticals. Its scale, innovation capabilities, and global footprint make it a cornerstone of the healthcare sector.

The stock is currently trading at $138.500, reflecting a recent gain of 2.88%, supported by strong trading activity. With a market capitalisation of $65.33 billion, CSL remains a heavyweight in the Australian market.

According to EODHD/Others data, CSL holds a consensus “Buy” rating, with a target price of AUD 205.4. This indicates strong analyst confidence in the company’s long-term growth trajectory.

CSL’s recent half-year FY26 results present a mixed but fundamentally strong picture. Revenue declined by 4% to $8.3 billion, while underlying NPATA fell by 7% to US$1.9 billion. However, reported NPAT dropped sharply due to one-off restructuring costs and impairments.

Despite these challenges, the company’s core business remains robust. Strong demand for immunoglobulin and albumin products continues to support growth, while new product launches and pipeline development provide additional upside.

The transformation program, aimed at improving efficiency and supporting growth, is progressing well and is expected to deliver long-term benefits.

Analysts appear to be focusing on CSL’s underlying earnings strength, global leadership, and innovation pipeline when assigning the “Buy” rating, viewing recent earnings pressure as largely temporary.

ResMed Inc.: Buy Rating Driven by Growth in Digital Health

ResMed Inc. has established itself as a global leader in sleep and respiratory care, combining medical devices with a rapidly expanding digital health ecosystem.

The company’s share price currently stands at $32.130, reflecting a slight decline of 0.46% in the latest session. With a market capitalisation of $46.81 billion, ResMed remains a major player in the healthcare technology space.

EODHD/Others assigns ResMed a consensus “Buy” rating, with a target price of AUD 47.09. This reflects strong analyst confidence in the company’s growth prospects and strategic positioning.

ResMed’s Q2 FY26 results highlight strong operational performance. Revenue increased by 11% to $1.42 billion, while gross margin expanded to 61.8%. Non-GAAP EPS rose by 16% to $2.81, demonstrating strong earnings growth.

For the six-month period, revenue reached $2.76 billion, up 10%, while net income increased by 13% to $741 million. These results underscore the company’s ability to deliver consistent growth across multiple metrics.

A key driver of ResMed’s performance is its digital health ecosystem, which integrates cloud-connected devices with data analytics. This platform enables remote patient monitoring and enhances treatment outcomes, creating a competitive advantage.

Innovation remains a central focus, with the introduction of AI-enabled devices such as Smart Comfort. These technologies are designed to improve patient adherence and expand the company’s addressable market.

Analysts are likely attracted to ResMed’s combination of strong financial performance, innovation, and exposure to long-term healthcare trends, all of which support its “Buy” rating.

Sigma Healthcare Limited: Buy Rating Reflecting Strong Retail Expansion

Sigma Healthcare operates at the intersection of pharmaceutical distribution and retail pharmacy, with a strong partnership with the Chemist Warehouse network. This integrated model provides exposure to both supply chain and consumer-facing healthcare services.

The stock is currently trading at $2.780, up 4.51% in the latest session, supported by exceptionally high trading volume. With a market capitalisation of $30.70 billion, Sigma has gained increasing prominence in the sector.

According to EODHD/Others data, Sigma holds a consensus “Buy” rating, with a target price of AUD 3.37. This reflects strong analyst confidence in the company’s growth trajectory.

Sigma’s half-year FY26 results demonstrate impressive performance across key metrics. Revenue increased by 14.9% to $5.5 billion, while normalised EBIT rose by 18.7% to $582.9 million.

Normalised NPAT grew by 19.2% to $392 million, highlighting strong profitability. This growth was driven by the expansion of the Chemist Warehouse network, with Australian store sales rising by 17.2% and international sales increasing by 24.5%.

The company’s integration and transformation programs are progressing as planned, delivering synergies and improving operational efficiency.

Sigma’s strong balance sheet, with net debt reduced to $635.1 million and a leverage ratio of 0.6x EBITDA, provides additional support for its growth strategy.

Analysts appear to be focusing on the company’s strong earnings growth, expansion strategy, and operational execution when assigning the “Buy” rating.

Comparative Analysis: Interpreting EODHD/Others Consensus Ratings

The EODHD/Others consensus ratings for CSL, ResMed, and Sigma Healthcare reveal a uniformly positive outlook for the healthcare sector. All three companies are rated “Buy,” indicating strong confidence among analysts.

However, the drivers behind these ratings differ. CSL’s rating is supported by its global leadership in biotechnology and long-term innovation potential. ResMed’s rating reflects its strong earnings growth and leadership in digital health. Sigma’s rating is driven by its rapid expansion in retail pharmacy and strong financial performance.

Target prices also indicate varying levels of upside potential, reflecting differences in growth expectations and risk profiles. CSL’s higher target price suggests confidence in long-term recovery and growth, while ResMed and Sigma offer more immediate growth visibility.

This diversity highlights the breadth of opportunities within the healthcare sector, where companies can achieve strong ratings through different strategic approaches.

Market Sentiment and Investor Implications

The strong EODHD/Others consensus ratings across these healthcare stocks suggest that analysts remain highly constructive on the sector.

Key factors influencing sentiment include consistent demand for healthcare products, strong earnings growth, and ongoing innovation. Companies that can combine these elements are particularly well-positioned to attract investor interest.

The sector’s defensive characteristics also make it attractive in uncertain economic environments, providing stability alongside growth potential.

For investors, these ratings provide a useful starting point for evaluating opportunities, although they should be complemented by a detailed analysis of company fundamentals and market conditions.

Key Drivers Behind Positive Ratings

Several common themes underpin the positive EODHD/Others ratings for CSL, ResMed, and Sigma Healthcare.

Innovation plays a central role, particularly for CSL and ResMed, where new products and technologies drive growth.

Expansion, both geographic and operational, is another key factor, as seen in Sigma’s retail network growth and ResMed’s global reach.

Operational efficiency and cost management also contribute to profitability, supporting earnings growth and investor confidence.

Finally, strong balance sheets and cash flow generation provide financial stability, enabling companies to invest in growth and return capital to shareholders.

Risks and Considerations

Despite the positive outlook, investors should be aware of potential risks. Regulatory changes can impact healthcare companies, particularly in areas such as pricing and market access.

Competition remains intense, requiring continuous innovation and strategic execution.

Currency fluctuations can affect companies with global operations, particularly CSL and ResMed.

Operational risks, including supply chain disruptions and integration challenges, must also be managed effectively.

While these risks are inherent to the sector, the strong fundamentals of the companies analysed help mitigate their impact.

Conclusion

The analysis of CSL Limited, ResMed Inc., and Sigma Healthcare Limited highlights the strength and diversity of opportunities within the healthcare sector. EODHD/Others consensus ratings indicate a uniformly positive outlook, with all three companies rated “Buy,” reflecting strong confidence in their growth prospects and strategic positioning. CSL’s global leadership in biotechnology, ResMed’s innovation in digital health, and Sigma’s rapid expansion in retail pharmacy each provide unique investment narratives. While risks remain, the sector’s combination of defensive demand and growth potential continues to attract analyst support. For investors, these ratings offer valuable insight into market sentiment, reinforcing the healthcare sector’s position as a key area of focus in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which healthcare stocks have a “Buy” rating according to EODHD/Others?
CSL Limited, ResMed Inc., and Sigma Healthcare Limited all have a consensus “Buy” rating based on EODHD/Others data.
Why is CSL Limited rated a “Buy”?
CSL’s rating is driven by its global leadership in biotechnology, strong underlying earnings, and long-term growth potential.
What supports ResMed’s “Buy” rating?
ResMed’s rating is supported by strong revenue growth, margin expansion, and its leadership in digital health solutions.
What is driving Sigma Healthcare’s positive rating?
Sigma’s strong earnings growth, expansion of the Chemist Warehouse network, and operational efficiency contribute to its “Buy” rating.
Are healthcare stocks considered defensive investments?
Yes, healthcare stocks are generally considered defensive due to consistent demand, while also offering growth opportunities through innovation.

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