There has been a tussle for top spot between hospital group companies Ramsay Health Care Limited Fully Paid Ord. Shrs (ASX: RHC) and Healthscope Ltd (ASX: HSO) for some time now.
But a note out of Macquarie suggests Ramsay is the best at "playing to its strengths" with its brownfield projects in large metropolitan areas capturing the broker's attention.
Ramsay has a number of sites slated for possible expansion on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, a more regional location for the company, but one with good exposure to older age groups.
Ramsay shares have been on a downward slide in the last 12 months, dropping from $70.42 at this time last year to an April 23 close of $62.70, but Macquarie's view on Ramsay is positive, with the broker placing an outperform rating on the stock and a price target of $74.50.
Macquarie is more cautious of $3.53 billion market cap company Healthscope, with a neutral rating on the stock and a price target of $1.95.
Out of the hospital sphere CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) remains the most talked about health care stock on the ASX, with the company playing to the needs of the growing sector of biotherapeutics like a pro.
