Recently, I noticed that hospital stocks are attracting more investor attention, which is quite appropriate because hospital businesses are essential in daily life.

Looking at the overall picture, hospital stocks are considered good defensive stocks because even if the stock market declines, hospitals still generate steady income and are not heavily dependent on economic conditions. I see this as a key point that makes many people interested in investing in this group.

An interesting point to watch is BDMS (Bangkok Dusit Medical Services). This company is a major player in the market with a market cap of 319 billion baht, operating hospital networks both in Thailand and abroad. Its P/E ratio is 19.5 times, and ROE is 16.8%, making it seem like a balanced choice with growth potential.

As for BH (Bumrungrad Hospital), it’s also interesting because this hospital mainly targets foreign patients. Its ROE is as high as 31.9%, which is very good for this group. However, the stock price is quite high (167.50 baht), so you need to consider it based on your own situation.

If you want to invest in smaller hospital stocks with potential, BCH (Bangkok Chain Hospital) is a good option. Its market cap is 25 billion baht, and the stock price is only 10.20 baht, with a P/E of 19.7 times. It seems the price is still reasonable.

For those who prefer cheaper stocks, VIBHA (Vibhavadi Hospital) and CHG (Chularat Hospital) are also worth watching. Their prices are below 2 baht, but their P/E ratios are quite high (47.6 and 21.7 respectively). You should look into their growth plans.

Another two stocks I’m interested in are RAM (Ramkhamhaeng Hospital) and PR9 (Praram 9 Hospital). Both have specialized expertise and a stable customer base. RAM focuses on specific medical fields, while PR9 aims to be a regional medical hub.

When choosing hospital stocks, I think it’s important to consider multiple aspects—not just the stock price. You should study which customer groups each hospital targets, which neighborhoods they serve, their expansion plans, and most importantly, P/E and ROE, which indicate how much you pay for the profit you receive.

If it were me, I would consider hospital stocks with a sufficiently large market cap, good ROE, and clear growth plans as safe options for long-term investment. Because it’s a necessary business with steady income and less influenced by market sentiment. Do some more research and pick the one that fits your investment goals.