I just noticed that this year many people are starting to see hospital stocks as an option for building stability, which is actually quite appropriate because they are businesses that provide steady income and are less affected by market volatility.

Let's see which ones are truly interesting. Usually, we divide hospital stocks into two main groups: those that mainly target foreign customers and those that focus on Thai people and social security.

In the first group, BDMS (Bangkok Dusit Medical Services) is considered a top player, with hospital networks spread across several countries. Market Cap is 319,430 million baht, P/E ratio of 19.5 times, ROE of 16.8%. These figures are quite reasonable for long-term investment. Or BH (Bangkok Hospital) which focuses on foreign patients, with an ROE of 31.9%, indicating excellent capital efficiency.

The second group, BCH (Bangkok Chain Hospital), has a Market Cap of 25,190 million baht, priced at only 10.20 baht, with a P/E of 19.7 times. Suitable for investors looking for lower initial capital.

Then there's RAM (Ramkhamhaeng Hospital), known for specialized treatments. Its stock price is 18.20 baht, even though the P/E is as high as 33.41 times, the hospital's expertise might justify paying a premium.

For smaller-cap stocks, VIBHA, PR9, and CHG also have growth potential. Especially VIBHA, which analysts recommend as a "Buy" with a target price of 2.74 baht.

An important factor when choosing hospital stocks is understanding that each hospital targets different customer bases. If it's a foreign customer-focused hospital, you need to monitor the economic conditions of those countries. If it's focused on Thai people, then keep an eye on social security policies and expansion in local areas.

Another key aspect is to look at financial ratios. P/E indicates whether the stock price is reasonable compared to profits, while ROE shows how efficiently the company uses shareholders' equity.

The reason hospital stocks are attractive is because they are defensive stocks that don't fluctuate wildly with market volatility. This business is always necessary for society; health care is something people need regardless of economic conditions.

If you're looking for stocks to hold long-term and want your portfolio to be stable, these 7 stocks all have potential—just choose the ones that match your investment goals and risk tolerance.