Very little is known about the new variant, especially whether current vaccines are as effective against hospitalization or death from this strain. But hair-trigger traders often sell first and ask questions later, suggests Mark Skousen, editor of Home Run Trader.
If Omnicron is no more transmissible, less lethal or unlikely to break through the current vaccines, we could see a fairly rapid rebound. That’s what I’m predicting.
However, there are a few companies that are set to see profits rise sharply in the weeks and months ahead -- and if Omnicron proves particularly troublesome and lengthens the pandemic, they will do better still.
Take Teledoc Health (TDOC), for example. Based in Purchase, New York, Teladoc is the global leader in virtual health care. Rather than visiting health care professionals in person, patients can connect with them online through the use of smart phones, laptops and desktops.
It has seamlessly connected millions around the world with practitioners in general medicine, mental health and complex care. Early in the pandemic, this seemed odd. After all, it’s not possible to palpitate the abdomen online or use a stethoscope through a computer screen.
But most households have a thermometer. And a lot of doctor visits primarily involve the self-reporting of symptoms and a look at a rash or parts of the body.
That can be done with a phone camera. Some 95% of the cases that Teladoc sees get resolved entirely online, with no need for an in-person visit.
If someone is showing symptoms of the coronavirus, health officials say that the last place they should go is to a doctor’s office or emergency room. They may be exposing themselves to other people -- or exposing themselves.
Telemedicine can connect those in self-quarantine with a doctor. So, it is a particular boon to those with cancer, pulmonary issues or compromised immune systems.
Teladoc’s business has enormous short-term and long-term potential. The short-term benefits are because we’re still battling this pandemic -- and Omnicrom may make it last longer still. Teladoc allows health care professionals to check on people who have the virus but aren’t sick enough to be in hospital wards.
In the long-term, expect a lot of patients (and their physicians) to realize that it is quicker and easier to connect online, especially for follow-up visits. And as this is considerably less expensive, health insurance companies are eagerly adopting the model as well.
Of course, we base any final buying decision on the numbers. And those are excellent. Annual revenue already tops $1.8 billion, and revenue is growing 81% year over year. Teledoc is not yet profitable. But as its product continues to be adopted and sales keep rising, profits aren’t far behind.
In my view, the stock remains an exceptional buy at current levels. So, pick up Teladoc Health today at market. And place a sell stop at $80 for protection.
