Bajaj Finserv’s new Healthcare Fund comes on the back of a huge 61% rally in the sectoral index in 2024 and amid concerns on valuations as sector PE at 45 is now well above its historical average of 35. Sorbh says the index is very pharma companies heavy (around 75%) while the big opportunities lie in the broader healthcare theme outside pharma manufacturers, where he is confident of creating a sound growth portfolio at reasonable valuations.
Of particular note is the CDMO/CRAMS space, where the team has identified attractive businesses that are poised to capitalize on opportunities thrown up by the US BioSecure Act which requires US pharma companies to look beyond Chinese majors for the contract research and manufacturing needs.
Within pharma manufacturers, the aim would be to focus on companies with leadership in faster growing segments like oncology and cardiology. US generics exports – the other big driver in this space – is seeing pricing stability now. Even though US generics exports is cyclical while domestic pharma is secular, getting the cycle right provides sizeable investment opportunities.
Sorbh is bullish on hospitals and diagnostics as secular plays as affluent and mass affluent Indians gravitate towards preventive care. Growing penetration of health insurance also augurs well for these segments, as does the growth of medical tourism as a key vertical.
The new fund’s portfolio will comprise 40-60 stocks and will have healthy participation across 8 verticals the fund house has identified within the healthcare theme. Unlike the index which is pharma heavy, the new portfolio will reflect growth opportunities across the wider healthcare theme in India.