11 ways to play biotech

11 ways to play biotech

11 ways to play biotech

The Fast Money traders discuss 11 ways to play biotech.

On a sluggish Monday for U.S. stocks, some biotechnology names shined. Celgene and Agios jumped nearly 3 percent while biotech-linked funds continued their steady climbs from last year.

Acquisitions and breakthroughs abound in a sector brimming with options ripe for growth. Traders on CNBC’s “Fast Money” outlined their strongest plays in the ever-volatile space.

“This merger party doesn’t seem to be ready to die down any time soon,” said trader Karen Finerman.

After enjoying a stellar 2014, funds exposed to biotech remain the “easy way out,” Finerman said. The SPDR S&P Biotech ETF and iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF, both up more than 25 percent in the last year, moved higher again on Monday.

Read MoreBig deals, data kick off JPMorgan health conference

The First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund—which holds smaller companies in the sector—hit a 52-week high on Monday.

With stellar fund performance, individual stocks are also poised to do well, traders said. Biotech may have more room to run after some wild upward runs in 2014.

Gilead, for example, hit a snag at the end of last year amid concerns over drug prices. The stock has still gained more than 30 percent in the last year and has settled over $100 per share.

“It’s right back where it should be, probably headed higher,” said trader Guy Adami.

Read MoreHow to play the JPMorgan health conference

Adami will watch Agios, which is “still pretty interesting,” and Celgene, which is “a name forever.”

Among other plays were giants Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck.

Originally posted here: 

11 ways to play biotech

Share this post