Corrected: BUZZ-Australian healthcare stocks hit a six-week high, acting as a primary hedge on ASX

Cochlear

19/06/2026 05:58

Corrects headline to say stocks hit a six-week 'high", not 'low'
** Australian healthcare stocks .AXHJ gain as much as 1.5%, their highest since May 8
** The sub-index has gained 2.5% so far this week
** Healthcare sub-index is acting as the primary macro hedge on the day, said William Taylor, COO and portfolio manager at ETF Shares
** "CSL CSL.AX and the broader healthcare space offer globally diversified, defensive earnings that are largely insulated from cyclical commodity swings and domestic banking pressures hitting the rest of the ASX," added Taylor.
** Biotech firm CSL climbs 2.6%, set for its highest since May 8, if trend holds; Cochlear COH.AX rises 0.7%
** AXHJ down 27% YTD

 (Reporting by Keshav Singh Chundawat in Bengaluru)
 ((Keshav.singhchundawat@thomsonreuters.com))