Better Buy: CloudMD (TSXV:DOC) vs. Well Health (TSX:WELL)

Here’s why growth investors can look to invest in healthcare disruptors such as CloudMD (TSXV:DOC) and Well Health (TSX:WELL) for long-term gains.

| More on:
Businessman holding tablet and showing a growing virtual hologram of statistics, graph and chart with arrow up on dark background. Stock market. Business growth, planning and strategy concept

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s premium investing services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn moresdf

The current year has been a forgettable one for multiple reasons. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the personal and professional lives of millions of Canadians and has negatively impacted a slew of industries.

Investors with exposure to energy, airline, retail, and hospitality verticals have experienced a massive decline in their portfolio values. However, this has been offset by a strong performance among stocks in fintech, e-commerce, and telehealth segments.

Here, we look at two such Canadian stocks that have managed to outperform the broader markets in 2020. Shares of Canadian health-tech companies CloudMD (TSXV:DOC) and Well Health (TSX:WELL) have returned 293% and 419%, respectively year-to-date. Let’s see if these stocks remain a top bet for 2021 and beyond.

CloudMD stock has a market cap of $391 million

CloudMD Software and Services aims to digitize the delivery of healthcare and provide patients access to professional care from the comfort of their home via their phones, tablets, or computers. It is a SaaS-based health-tech solution company that provides services to medical clinics in Canada.

CloudMD has around 376 clinics and 3,000 licensed practitioners that give it access to three million patients. Its suite of telemedicine software includes consumer solutions and enterprise solutions.

In the June quarter, CloudMD sales more than doubled to $2.8 million, while in the first six months of 2020, its sales grew to $5.85 million, up 170% year over year. Analysts expect CloudMD sales to rise to $17 million in 2020 and to $42.7 million in 2021. This means the stock is trading at a forward price to sales multiple of 22.

DOC expects to grow its patient base via acquisitions as well as organic expansion in the next 12 months, which in turn will drive its top-line growth. It plans to acquire and partner with enterprises that complement its business plan.

Well Health stock has a market cap of $1.15 billion

Well Health is another company that is disrupting the healthcare space in Canada. It has a portfolio of 2,000 clinics and 20,000 practitioners giving the firm access to 15 million registered patients.

Well Health is focused on consolidating and modernizing primary healthcare assets by leveraging digital technologies and processes that will improve the overall patient experience as well as operational efficiency.

Similar to CloudMD, Well Health also aims to grow via acquisitions and has completed 11 acquisitions since the start of 2018. It has a 100% controlling interest in 19 clinics and majority ownership in two other clinics.

This has helped Well Health grow its top-line at an aggressive rate. In 2019, company sales were up 211% year-over-year at $32.8 million. Analysts expect sales to grow by 37% to $45 million in 2020 and by 56% to $70 million in 2021, which means Well Health stock is trading at a price to sales multiple of 23.6.

The Foolish takeaway

The high valuation multiples of CloudMD and Well Health might concern investors. Further, the two companies are still posting an adjusted loss. However, their focus on acquisitions and a rapidly expanding addressable market make the two stocks top bets for long-term investors.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Aditya Raghunath has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Tech Stocks

A worker uses a double monitor computer screen in an office.
Tech Stocks

Why Shopify Stock Sold Off Last Week

Shopify (TSX:SHOP) sold off heavily last week. A bad earnings release may have been the culprit.

Read more »

Hand arranging wood block stacking as step stair with arrow up.
Tech Stocks

2 Phenomenal Growth Stocks Down 30-60% That Could Rally in the Next Bull Market

Is it time to buy growth stocks? The worst of the interest rate hike and inflation is over, and now…

Read more »

stock market
Tech Stocks

2 Best Tech Stocks to Buy Before the Next Bull Market

Tech stocks such as Roku and Nuvei can help long-term investors generate outsized gains in 2023 and beyond.

Read more »

Wireless technology
Tech Stocks

Tucows Stock Trades Near its 6-Year Low: Is it a Buy?  

Tucows stock fell 63% in the tech stock sell-off and has failed to show any recovery. Is this domain and…

Read more »

Male IT Specialist Holds Laptop and Discusses Work with Female Server Technician. They're Standing in Data Center, Rack Server Cabinet with Cloud Server Icon and Visualization
Tech Stocks

Is Converge Stock a Buy?

A relatively new tech stock could soar higher with the pause in rate hikes, although a resumption of the cycle…

Read more »

online shopping
Tech Stocks

Up by 25%: Is Shopify Stock Finally a Buy in 2023?

The strong rebound in the TSX’s top tech stock remains uncertain. Investors will have to wait before it delivers stellar…

Read more »

Businessman holding AI cloud
Tech Stocks

2 TSX Tech Stocks Innovating Hard in AI

Shopify (TSX:SHOP) stock and another intriguing Canadian gem make good use of AI technologies.

Read more »

worry concern
Tech Stocks

Shopify Stock: Incredible Bargain or Deceptive Trap?

Shopify has quickly shifted from a market darling to something else. Is it a safe buy or risqué bet?

Read more »