For Good and Bad Times

Some businesses are hurt more than others by pandemics and recessions. One company with some resistance to both is pharmacy chain CVS Health (NYSE: CVS). Yes, the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced foot traffic in its stores and hurt in-store clinic revenue. But the pandemic is not likely to be a long-term issue, and CVS has responded nimbly. Indeed, it was recently operating more than 1,800 COVID-19 testing sites nationally — and it’s offering virtual doctor visits with its MinuteClinic “E-Clinic” program.

One of the steadiest tailwinds for CVS Health is that America’s population is aging. As life expectancies lengthen and baby boomers hit retirement, reliance on prescription medicines to improve overall quality of life should increase. Since pharmacy sales generate about three-quarters of CVS revenue, an aging population with easy access to prescription medicines is a good thing.

What’s more, CVS Health has been pushing the personalized medicine narrative at many of its locations. The company has plans to open around 1,500 of its HealthHUB clinics around the country by the end of next year, offering services that include management of chronic conditions like diabetes.

With a recent forward-looking price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio in the single digits, and a dividend yield topping 3.3%, CVS Health deserves consideration for long-term portfolios. (The Motley Fool has recommended CVS Health.)