The healthcare sector is predicted to shine in 2026, according to SoFi’s Liz Thomas, despite year-end investor apprehensions. AI and fading rate-cut hopes are causing concern. Healthcare has gone from a poor performer to beating financials, with a 10% increase in the Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF XLV this year. Investors are eyeing healthcare for its growth potential and attractive valuations. Thomas expects healthcare to continue its strong performance in 2026, offering both valuation and growth opportunities in pharma and biotech. The sector is seen as defensive and could be a top performer in the coming year. Investors are shifting out of tech and into healthcare for growth opportunities. MarketWatch reports that SoFi’s Liz Thomas believes healthcare will continue to be a strong performer through the end of 2025 and into 2026. She sees the sector as a potential dark horse in the coming year, with strong catch-up trade potential. The healthcare sector has emerged as an attractive option for investors looking for growth opportunities and valuation. Thomas suggests that healthcare could overtake industrials as a top sector by the end of the year, citing its defensive nature. While tech has been a popular choice for investors, healthcare is gaining attention for its growth potential and attractive valuations. Thomas predicts a strong performance for healthcare in 2026, driven by growth opportunities in pharma and biotech. She sees the sector as a defensive play that could outperform in the coming year. MarketWatch reports that SoFi’s Liz Thomas is optimistic about healthcare’s performance in 2026, citing growth opportunities in pharma and biotech. She believes the sector could be a top performer in the coming year, driven by attractive valuations and defensive characteristics. Thomas expects healthcare to continue its strong performance through the end of 2025 and into 2026. The healthcare sector is a contrarian pick for SoFi’s Liz Thomas in 2026. Home Depot shares are dropping due to missed profit expectations and a downbeat outlook. Cloudflare shares are falling as the cybersecurity company experiences service disruptions. Private-sector payrolls show sharp job losses. Akzo Nobel announces a $25 billion deal to buy Axalta Coating. Activist investor Elliott Management builds a large stake in Barrick Mining. The S&P 500 falls below the 50-day average for the first time in 139 sessions. Morningstar advises investors to balance tech exposure with non-U.S. markets, U.S. value, and small-cap stocks.

The top-searched tickers on MarketWatch include NVDA, TSLA, PLTR, AMZN, AAPL, GME, HD, TSM, META, and AMD. Teenage Bach’s 320-year-old organ pieces are performed for the first time. KPop Demon Hunters join Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Celebrity worship is described as getting out of hand with the concept of parasocial relationships. Fed Reserve governor Michael Barr and Richmond Fed president Thomas Barkin are scheduled to speak. Liz Thomas of SoFi believes the healthcare sector will thrive in 2026, despite current challenges. This contrarian pick could offer significant opportunities for investors. Healthcare stocks may be poised for growth and offer strong returns in the future. Keep an eye on this sector for potential investment opportunities.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: This sector is heating up as investors get skittish on tech. Why it may be the dark horse for 2026.