It’s a tough pill to swallow – but these healthcare stocks are in troubled waters.
The healthcare sector, historically a haven for investors, boasts a promising Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.71% until 2027. However, the industry is prone to abrupt plunges due to the uncertainty surrounding FDA approvals for critical trials. The pharmaceutical arena, especially small-cap entities, faces sharp declines in share value upon trial failures. This inherent volatility attracts short sellers who prey on potential vulnerabilities within the industry. Here we dissect three healthcare stocks currently in the crosshairs of short sellers, urging investors to consider shedding these assets.
Moderna (MRNA): Weathering Legal Storms

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Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA), a pioneer in pharmaceutical and biotech landscapes, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has witnessed a turbulent legal joust with Arbutus Biopharma (NASDAQ:ABUS). The recent federal ruling favoring Arbutus in a patent dispute over Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine instigated a 4% plummet in Moderna’s stock value. With 95% of revenues stemming from product sales and the rest from governmental and private funding, Moderna’s vulnerability is exacerbated by a recent hostile courtroom outcome. Adding to the woes is a disheartening 45% revenue dip and an 85% decline in net income for the fourth quarter of 2023. Lack of diversification from vaccine-centric income channels further underscores the company’s fragile financial stance compared to heavyweight competitors like Pfizer (NASDAQ:PFE). Moderna’s future seems fraught with uncertainty until it addresses revenue diversification and minimizes its reliance on vaccine income. As of now, it’s advisable for investors to steer clear of Moderna’s stocks.

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InnovAge Holding Corp (NASDAQ:INNV), based in Denver, Colorado, offers healthcare services catered to the elderly, striving to foster independent living for seniors. Operating multiple PACE programs catering to over 70,000 patients nationwide, InnovAge has recently witnessed a downward revision in price targets by prominent financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase. Financially, InnovAge’s balance sheet paints a gloomy picture with significantly higher short-term liabilities compared to cash and receivables. Despite a promising increment in Earnings Per Share (EPS) of 64.82% year-over-year, the negative EPS of 0.03 coupled with overvaluation rings alarm bells for investors. Caution is advised while considering investment prospects in InnovAge.
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The Storm Brewing for iBio: A Stock in Turmoil
The Woes of iBio
iBio (NYSEMKT:IBIO) operates in the realm of biotherapeutic drugs, with its flagship products being iBio-400 and iBio-101. However, despite these promising names, the reality is not as sunny as it seems.
A Sinking Ship
iBio finds itself in troubled waters, with none of its nine current drugs making it to clinical trials. This setback has translated into a staggering 90% plummet in the stock price compared to the previous year, a decline that might raise eyebrows but should also trigger alarm bells.
A Bleak Horizon
There seems to be no silver lining for iBio in the near future. The company’s lack of a breakthrough drug in the pipeline suggests a dim forecast, not just for short-term profitability but also for long-term growth prospects.
The Grim Reality
Despite a marginal improvement in net income from the previous fiscal year, iBio remains in the red. Valued by many brokerages as overpriced, the recent 40% drop in stock value over the past five days points to a disheartening trend.
Investor Caution Advised
Given the company’s current standing and the absence of a beacon of hope on the horizon, investors are strongly urged to consider parting ways with IBIO stock before the storm worsens.