According to Loop Capital Markets, blue chip healthcare stocks look like a smart bet in this volatile market environment. Analyst Joseph France began covering four healthcare stocks with buy ratings on Thursday: CVS Health, UnitedHealth, Humana and Anthem. Healthcare is often seen as a defensive area for investors, and all four stocks have smaller declines in 2022 than the broader market. The group’s largest stock by market capitalization is UnitedHealth. France said in a note that the company is well positioned to defend its lead against competitors. “UNH’s holistic, consumer-centric approach to health care is central to improving outcomes, driving consumer satisfaction, and delivering value-based care by promote evidence-based medicine and avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and other side effects of traditional approaches,” France wrote. “We believe UNH’s size, industry leadership, and innovative technologies and practices form the key competitive advantages that will maintain UNH’s leadership in the industry.” The CVS is a bit different from other upgrades, given the company’s retail business. France writes: “We expect retail business to slow in 2022 due to reduced vaccinations and COVID testing, but CVS Pharmacy remains one of the company’s largest and most visible assets as it continues to grow. expanding its national footprint in the community-based primary care market,” France wrote. Below are the price targets from the Loop and reversal for the stocks. CVS Health: $120 per share, 33.6% UnitedHealth: $575 per share, 26.1% Humana: $510 per share, 20.5% Anthem: $550 per share, 20.9% – Michael Bloom of CNBC contributed to this report.