3 Health-Related Headwinds to Consider Before Taking the Apple Stock Plunge

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While investors may disagree over Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) nearer-term movements, the longer-term view features much more consensus. Yes, the vaunted consumer-technology giant faces some serious questions, particularly regarding the era “peak smartphone.” Yet, management’s constant push toward other sectors provides Apple stock with a second wind.

Apple stock faces health-related headwinds
Source: Via Apple

This is especially true when it comes to the $3.5 trillion healthcare industry. Thanks to the ever-rising merger between society and technology, it’s only logical that an organization like AAPL would seek opportunities in health and wellness. Specifically, the wearables revolution can offer an alternative revenue channel to support the heavily-saturated devices segment.

Among wearables rivals such as Garmin (NASDAQ:GRMN) and Fitbit (NYSE:FIT), the ultimate prize is the development of high-end biosensors. Current portable devices are able to track one’s footsteps, heart rate and even sleep patterns. However, taking this tech to the next level — such as non-invasive blood-sugar monitoring systems — represents the goldmine.

If Apple can get there first, the achievement could send AAPL stock skyrocketing. Morgan Stanley estimates that on the upper end, the company’s health division could rake in $313 billion by 2027. For context, Apple’s revenue last year was $266 billion.

Additionally, AAPL has built relationships with health insurers. Many of them are willing to pay for at least a portion of current-generation Apple Watches issued for their clientele. With future biosensor-armed products, this partnership will likely further bolster Apple stock.

Considering the company’s vast resources, it’s a tall order to beg against it. However, you should know three health-related headwinds before jumping onboard AAPL stock.

Medical Tech May Never Catch Up to the Hype

Most of us are familiar with Moore’s Law. Roughly paraphrasing, advancements in semiconductor performance will require exponentially larger financial investments. Eventually, you’ll reach a point where a computer chip can’t get any smaller due to physical restraints.

A similar principle may impact wearable devices. If so, the case for Apple stock — at least as it relates to healthcare — may quickly collapse.

Right now, futurists are excited about the potential of biosensors. However, no one has come close to developing a consistent, accurate and non-invasive platform to measure critical health metrics.

Worse yet, such technology may be impossible to reach. Any device can measure “exterior” signals, such as a heartbeat. But blood-sugar levels for diabetics? That’s an internal, molecular dynamic that necessarily requires intrusion for measurement-taking purposes.

Please note that Intuitive Surgical’s (NASDAQ:ISRG) ultra-advanced da Vinci surgical system is minimally invasive, not non-invasive. Like I said, no one has cracked this key. If Apple does, AAPL stock goes to the moon. But that’s an aggressive bet.

No, Privacy Issues Are Not Tailwinds for Apple stock

AAPL’s management team recently boasted that they signed up 419,000 people to participate in a health study involving Apple Watch. To many observers, that’s a sign that most Americans trust Apple to handle their medical data with utmost care.

Admittedly, that’s a massive number, especially for a medical research study. However, I wouldn’t conflate that figure with overwhelming trust for AAPL.

As Facebook’s (NASDAQ:FB) various controversies demonstrated, Americans are rightfully sensitive about their privacy. And in this case, we’re just talking about inconsequential stuff. But when you broach the topic of personal health? The walls will come up faster than a presidential tweet.

That’s because disclosing health-related issues may lead to serious consequences. For instance, if you admit to having cancer, you’ll have substantial difficulties getting life insurance. Thus, it really pays for Americans to keep their medical records on a strict, need-to-know basis.

So no, Apple stock won’t benefit from public trust.

AAPL Stock May Suffer ‘Dilutive’ Effect

Anyone can appreciate Morgan Stanley’s bullishness on Apple stock. Thanks to its large network of health insurance partnerships, the company can distribute future wearables on a grand scale.

At the same time, it would dilute Apple’s brand. After all, the company carefully cultivated an image of exclusivity, and its products’ price points reflect it. However, mass distribution through health-related networks certainly contradicts decades of marketing.

Therefore, AAPL may find itself in a position winning one battle at the expense of another. In other words, there’s a reason why airport rentals don’t typically offer exotic sports cars from Ferrari (NYSE:RACE). You can’t lead in exclusivity and volume.

On a surface level, it’s easy to get excited over the burgeoning health opportunities. However, a closer look reveals that the case for AAPL stock isn’t quite so clear-cut.

As of this writing, Josh Enomoto did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.

A former senior business analyst for Sony Electronics, Josh Enomoto has helped broker major contracts with Fortune Global 500 companies. Over the past several years, he has delivered unique, critical insights for the investment markets, as well as various other industries including legal, construction management, and healthcare. Tweet him at @EnomotoMedia.


Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2019/04/3-health-headwinds-to-consider-before-buying-apple-stock/.

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