Overseas expansion key for healthcare sector in 2019 and beyond: analysts

Singapore

WITH some exceptions, the healthcare sector was not spared the trade tensions and uncertainty that dogged equity markets throughout 2018.

Going forward, cost pressures and macroeconomic headwinds are expected to moderate prospects in 2019, but the long-term view is rosier, especially for companies with overseas operations. Analysts project a positive outlook beyond 2019 when recent regional expansions for players such as IHH Healthcare Bhd and Singapore Medical Group (SMG) will start to yield results, if handled successfully.