Eli Lilly (LLY +2.37%) is the most valuable healthcare company, with Johnson & Johnson (JNJ +1.40%) and AbbVie (ABBV +2.50%) rounding out the top three. Pharmaceutical companies dominate this market sector, comprising half of the largest healthcare companies by market cap. Let's take a look at the companies that could be a financial cure-all for investors and their portfolios.
Largest companies by market cap in the healthcare sector
(Editor's note: Rankings are as of May 1, 2026.)
| Name and ticker | Market cap | Current price | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) | $910.7 billion | $989.91 | Pharmaceuticals |
| Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) | $533.0 billion | $224.26 | Pharmaceuticals |
| AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) | $358.7 billion | $207.86 | Biotechnology |
| UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) | $349.1 billion | $396.61 | Healthcare Providers and Services |
| AstraZeneca Plc (NASDAQ:AZN) | N/A | N/A | Pharmaceuticals |
| Merck (NYSE:MRK) | $274.8 billion | $112.37 | Pharmaceuticals |
| Novartis (NYSE:NVS) | $265.9 billion | $148.16 | Pharmaceuticals |
| Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) | $177.9 billion | $336.18 | Biotechnology |
| Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO) | $168.2 billion | $459.30 | Life Sciences Tools and Services |
| Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) | $165.8 billion | $134.94 | Biotechnology |
1. Eli Lilly
- Market cap: $862.01 billion (as of May 1)
- Revenue (TTM): $72.2 billion
- Gross profit (TTM): $59.8 billion
- Five-year annualized return: 39.44%
- Year founded: 1876
NYSE: LLY
Key Data Points
Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly is the world's most valuable drug company. A chemist and veteran of the Union Army founded the company in 1876, and it later became the first to mass-produce insulin and the polio vaccine.
Some of its top products are diabetes medications, weight loss drugs, obesity treatments, and antidepressants such as Prozac. In April 2026, the FDA approved Foundayo, Eli Lilly's GLP-1 weight loss pill.
2. Johnson & Johnson
- Market cap: $546.90 billion (as of May 1)
- Revenue (TTM): $96.4 billion
- Gross profit (TTM): $65.4 billion
- Five-year annualized return: 6.90%
- Year founded: 1886
NYSE: JNJ
Key Data Points
Johnson & Johnson is one of the leading pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Its two primary business segments are Innovative Medicine, which develops and markets prescription drugs, and MedTech, which manufactures medical devices, including Acuvue contact lenses.
Johnson & Johnson also used to have a robust consumer healthcare division that produced Tylenol and many other household names. It spun off that division into a new business in 2023.
3. AbbVie
- Market cap: $365.43 billion (as of May 1)
- Revenue (TTM): $62.8 billion
- Gross profit (TTM): $44.4 billion
- Five-year annualized return: 13.13%
- Year founded: 2012
NYSE: ABBV
Key Data Points
AbbVie is a biotechnology company that develops treatments for serious diseases. It has produced therapies for illnesses, including autoimmune diseases, plaque psoriasis, blood cancers, and advanced Parkinson's disease. It also acquired Capstan Therapeutics, a cell and gene therapy company, for $2.1 billion in mid-2025.
AbbVie is a relatively new company that was spun off from Abbott Laboratories (ABT +2.16%). It's now one of the better dividend stocks in the healthcare sector. It has regularly raised its dividend payout, resulting in a high dividend yield.
4. UnitedHealth Group
- Market cap: $334.93 billion (as of May 1)
- Revenue (TTM): $447.6 billion
- Gross profit (TTM): $82.9 billion
- Five-year annualized return: -1.55%
- Year founded: 1977
NYSE: UNH
Key Data Points
UnitedHealth Group (UNH +3.17%) provides health insurance and healthcare services. It sells health insurance products through its UnitedHealthcare division and offers healthcare services through its Optum division.
Although UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest healthcare companies, it has faced several high-profile issues. A subsidiary, Change Healthcare, was responsible for the largest reported healthcare data breach in history in 2024. CEO Andrew Witty abruptly resigned in May 2025 for personal reasons, and the company also replaced its CFO in July 2025.
5. AstraZeneca
- Market cap: $286.40 billion (as of May 1)
- Revenue (TTM): $60.4 billion
- Gross profit (TTM): $49.4 billion
- Five-year annualized return: 11.72%
- Year founded: 1913 (Astra AB), Zeneca (1993), 1999 (merger of Astra AB and Zeneca)
NASDAQ: AZN
Key Data Points
6. Novartis
- Market cap: $279.67 billion (as of May 1)
- Revenue (TTM): $56.6 billion
- Gross profit (TTM): $42.6 billion
- Five-year annualized return: 12.68%
- Year founded: 1886 (Sandoz), 1970 (Ciba-Geigy), 1996 (merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz)
NYSE: NVS
Key Data Points
Novartis (NVS +2.02%) is a Swiss pharmaceutical company. It manufactures prescription drugs for various diseases. Some of its bestselling products include Entresto, a medication used to treat heart failure; Cosentyx, a psoriasis treatment; and Kesimpta, a treatment for certain forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).
This Swiss company is incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) technology into its business. Novartis has partnered with Viz.ai to provide AI-powered care for cancer patients. It also acquired Avidity Biosciences in a $12 billion deal to improve its late-stage neuroscience pipeline.
7. Merck
- Market cap: $277.02 billion (as of May 1)
- Revenue (TTM): $65.8 billion
- Gross profit (TTM): $48.6 billion
- Five-year annualized return: 9.56%
- Year founded: 1891
NYSE: MRK
Key Data Points
8. Amgen
- Market cap: $177.80 billion (as of May 1)
- Revenue (TTM): $37.2 billion
- Gross profit (TTM): $25.4 billion
- Five-year annualized return: 6.60%
- Year founded: 1980
NASDAQ: AMGN
Key Data Points
Amgen (AMGN +2.00%) is a biotechnology and pharmaceutical company with a presence in about 100 countries. It focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and on conditions with limited treatment options. The company develops treatments in the following therapeutic areas: general medicine, rare disease, inflammation, and oncology.
Some of Amgen's best-selling products include Enbrel, an anti-inflammatory medicine; Prolia, an osteoporosis treatment in women after menopause; and Otezla, a medicine for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
9. Thermo Fisher Scientific
- Market cap: $174.37 billion (as of May 1)
- Revenue (TTM): $45.2 billion
- Gross profit (TTM): $18.4 billion
- Five-year annualized return: -0.04%
- Year founded: 1902 (Fisher Scientific), 1956 (Thermo Electron), 2006 (merged into Thermo Fisher Scientific)
NYSE: TMO
Key Data Points
NASDAQ: GILD
Key Data Points
Gilead Sciences (GILD +1.16%) is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on developing innovative medicines for serious diseases. It offers treatments for a range of diseases, including HIV/AIDS, liver disease, and several types of cancer.
In April, Gilead completed the acquisition of Arcellx for approximately $7.8 billion. The companies had previously collaborated on a T-cell therapy for multiply myeloma. The deal gives Gilead full control of the treatment.
Drug makers and diversified giants split the top of healthcare
Many of the biggest healthcare companies are in the pharmaceutical business, which brings some unique risks, but also the potential for outsize returns. The development of new products often requires a lengthy regulatory process. If a company's product may have caused harm to a consumer, there's the possibility of a lawsuit.
However, companies with successful and innovative treatments often grow quickly. Eli Lilly is a good example, as it has soared on the popularity of its weight-loss drugs.
Even with the risks, healthcare can be an attractive sector for investors. Some of the top healthcare companies pay high dividends, which is great for investors looking to build passive income. Healthcare stocks also tend to be resistant to market downturns. After all, no matter how the economy is doing, people always need healthcare.
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About the Author
Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends AbbVie, Abbott Laboratories, Amgen, Kenvue, Merck, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. The Motley Fool recommends Johnson & Johnson, Solventum, and UnitedHealth Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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