Health care was the top performing sector by far in November, with the S & P 500 Health Care Sector gaining an impressive 9.1%. The rally appears to be the start of a cyclical uptrend, lending a bullish outlook for 2026. While some health care stocks are overstretched in the short term, we have noticed actionable technical catalysts in medical device stocks. There are recent breakouts to new highs like IDEXX Laboratories (IDXX) and STERIS PLC (STE) , and compelling turnaround opportunities in names like GE Healthcare Technologies Inc. (GEHC) and Medtronic PLC (MDT) . To track a basket of medical device stocks, the iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF (IHI) is a popular choice. The long-term trend for IHI is neutral, noting that resistance from the 2021 high remains in place. The four-year trading range has not reversed the secular uptrend because price remains above the monthly cloud model. There is technical evidence on the monthly chart that bodes well for a trading-range breakout. IHI has formed a bullish cup-and-handle pattern and has new upturns in its monthly MACD and stochastic oscillator. Should a breakout become decisive, it would affirm a bullish outlook for 2026, targeting a measured-move projection of about $80. The weekly chart of IHI shows that an uptrend has taken hold, now above the weekly cloud model, which is long-term support near $59. The upper boundary of the cloud is rising looking out into Q2 2026 for a bullish long-term takeaway. IHI has a fresh breakout above resistance near $63, which goes back to May. The breakout reverses a six-month trading range to the upside in a bullish intermediate-term development. The breakout is associated with positive short- and intermediate-term momentum per the daily and weekly MACDs, as well as a bullish shift in relative momentum. Over the next several days, we would like to see IHI hold above the breakout point near $63, which is now initial support. The ratio of IHI to the S & P 500 Index (SPX) is above its 50-day MA, which has turned higher, indicating that the trend has shifted positive for the next several weeks. The long-term trend of IHI vs. SPX is lower, but there are long-term signs of downside exhaustion suggesting medical device stocks will see several months of improved performance relative to the broader market. Overall, there is evidence across timeframes to suggest IHI can reach new all-time highs, supporting a strong 2026 for medical devices stocks and the broader healthcare sector. —Katie Stockton with Will Tamplin Access research from Fairlead Strategies for free here . DISCLOSURES: None. All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, NBC UNIVERSAL, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium. 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Medical device stocks have formed a ‘cup-and-handle’ chart pattern. What that means for the group
