Genomic Stocks Are in the First Inning of a Multi-Year Megatrend – ETF Trends

By Justin Spittler

Its easily the most overlooked megatrend Ive ever written about. Folks ignore this opportunity because its tough to wrap your head around. But its absolutely worth understanding.

The companies in this space are revolutionizing healthcare. Trillions of dollars are on the line. So, I dont expect this megatrend to fly under investors radars much longer.

In fact, the stocks at the forefront of this megatrend are waking up before our eyes. This tells me huge gains are on the horizon.

In a minute, Ill sharefour ways serious investors can profit off this revolution.But first, lets cover the basics.

Genomics is the study of all of a persons genes, and how those genes interact with each other and our own environments. By understanding all of our genes (our genome), scientists can discover secrets embedded in our DNA.

That is a gamechanger. With genetics, scientists only look at a single gene. With genomics, they examine all the genes that make up an organism. And that helps us understand human biology at a much deeper level.

Thanks to genomics, scientists can now determine at an early age what diseases a person might contract later in life. It can also help doctors detect problems earlier and more accurately treat them.

Its also helping us understand why some people who smoke, never exercise, and eat unhealthy foods live to be 100 years old. Armed with this information, scientists and doctors can better understand how someone will react to a particular drug or treatment. That opens the door for personalized or precise medicine.

People with vastly different genetic makeups receive the same treatment and the same drugs. Understanding a persons genetic makeup eliminates much of the guesswork. It will help doctors develop tailor-made solutions for every patient.

Genomics is also revolutionizing how pharmaceutical companies develop drugs. It even makes gene editing possible. Gene editing is exactly what it sounds like. Its the ability to manipulate a persons genes.

It sounds like science fiction. But scientists are already able to cut and paste mutations that cause cancer out of our DNA. I know this is all very technical. But the key takeaway here is that genomics is going to completely transform healthcare.

Breakthroughs in this field will ultimately allowbillionsof people to live longer and healthier lives. And the companies that make this happen will reap fortunes. Investors who understand this stand to make a fortune in the coming years. Of course, none of this was possible until recently.

The Human Genome Project took more than 10 years and about $3 billion to map the first human genome. Today, we can map a persons DNA in only a few hours for about $1,000.

Three years from now, the cost will fall to just $100. Thats one-millionth of what it cost two decades ago! When that happens, DNA sequencing will officially go mainstream.

By 2025, its projected that 100 million genomes will be sequenced. Thats up from 2.4 million genomes two years ago!

This will open a whole new world of understanding. Well truly be able to understand diseases on a personal level. Scientists could even use this tidal wave of information to cure cancer, HIV, pediatric blindness, and many other diseases!

And yet, the genomics revolution is completely ignored by the masses. Again, this is partly because the science of genomics will make most peoples heads spin.

The worlds biggest pharmaceutical and life sciences companies are at the forefront of this megatrend. Much smaller companies are also leading this revolution. But thats no excuse to ignore this opportunity.

Illumina (ILMN)the worldwide leader in genetic sequencinghas surged more than 188% since 2017.CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP)a gene editing pioneersurged more than 400% in its first two years after its IPO.Editas Medicine (EDIT)another major player in the gene editing spacespiked 131% in its first two months as a publicly traded company!NeoGenomics (NEO), which specializes in cancer diagnostics, has rallied more than 5,000% since 2016!

Of course, anyone could cherry pick examples to prove their point. But this isnt the case of just a few stocks doing well.

Look at this chart. It shows the performance of theARK Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG)since the start of 2017. This fund invests in companies at the forefront of genetic editing. Its actively managed by ARK Invest, an investment manager laser-focused on disruptive innovation.

ARKG has been on an absolute tear since the start of 2017. During that stretch, ARKG outperformed the biotech stocks by 3-to-1. It also crushed healthcare stocks by more than two-fold!

Dont worry if you missed out on this initial surge. Genomic stocks are just getting warmed up.

ARKG broke out to record highs recently. That puts the fund in the top 1% of stocks. In other words, genomics stocks are leading the market.

At RiskHedge,we focus on leaders because they deliver the biggest gains during bull markets. They also shine during bear markets. They either fall much less than most stocks or surge when most stocks are plunging. In todays uncertain environment, these are theonlystocks you should own.

Cathie Wood, ARKs CEO and founder, recently called the genomic revolution one of the most exciting investment ideas we have ever experienced.

Thats a bold statement. But its understandable. Genetic factors play a role in nine of the 10 leading causes of death in the United Statesoutside of car crashes and other accidents. In many cases, theyre the reason people get heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Its also estimated 1 in 5 adults may carry disease-related genetic mutations. And yet, only 5% of the diseases caused by one gene are treatable today. With gene editing that number could eventually reach 100%. According to Cathie Wood, those diseases alone represent a $2 trillion opportunity. The market for diseases caused by multiple genes issignificantlylarger!

And yet, CRISPR Therapeutics, Editas Medicine, andInvitae Corporation (NVTA)three companies pioneering gene editingaretogetherworth less than $8 billion!

The easiest way to capitalize on this megatrend is to invest in ARKG. You may also want consider investing in EDIT, NVTA, and CRSP. These three companies are at the forefront of the genetic editing revolution. Theyre also all top-ten holdings in ARKG.

By investing in these companies, youre making concentrated bets on companies turning the entire healthcare model on its head! Youll also be investing in companies that will likely save countless lives. Its a true win-win!

Just understand that the genomics revolution will unfold over the next 20 to 30 years. So, treat these stocks like long-term speculations.

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Genomic Stocks Are in the First Inning of a Multi-Year Megatrend - ETF Trends