The Health Care sector ranks sixth out of the ten sectors as detailed in our Q1'17 Sector Ratings for ETFs and Mutual Funds report. Last quarter, the Health Care sector ranked seventh. It gets our Neutral rating, which is based on an aggregation of ratings of 22 ETFs and 74 mutual funds in the Health Care sector. See a recap of our Q4'16 Sector Ratings here.

Figures 1 and 2 show the five best and worst rated ETFs and mutual funds in the sector. Not all Health Care sector ETFs and mutual funds are created the same. The number of holdings varies widely (from 21 to 364). This variation creates drastically different investment implications and, therefore, ratings.

Investors seeking exposure to the Health Care sector should buy one of the Attractive-or-better rated ETFs or mutual funds from Figures 1 and 2.

Here is our ETF and mutual fund rating methodology, which leverages our rigorous analysis of each fund's holdings. We think advisors and investors focused on prudent investment decisions should include analysis of fund holdings in their research process for ETFs and mutual funds.

Figure 1: ETFs with the Best & Worst Ratings - Top 5

* Best ETFs exclude ETFs with TNAs less than $100 million for inadequate liquidity.

Sources: New Constructs, LLC and company filings

Figure 2: Mutual Funds with the Best & Worst Ratings - Top 5

* Best mutual funds exclude funds with TNAs less than $100 million for inadequate liquidity.

Sources: New Constructs, LLC and company filings

Four mutual funds are excluded from Figure 2 because their total net assets (TNA) are below $100 million and do not meet our liquidity minimums.

The Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (NYSEARCA:VHT) is the top-rated Health Care ETF and the Putnam Global Health Care Fund (MUTF:PCHSX) is the top-rated Health Care mutual fund. Both earn an Attractive rating.

The State Street SPDR Series Trust (NYSEARCA:XBI) is the worst rated Health Care ETF and the Invesco Global Health Care Fund (MUTF:GGHCX) is the worst rated Health Care mutual fund. Both earn a Very Dangerous rating.

336 stocks of the 3000+ we cover are classified as Health Care stocks, but due to style drift, Health Care ETFs and mutual funds hold 364 stocks.

The Danger Within

Buying a fund without analyzing its holdings is like buying a stock without analyzing its business and finances. Put another way, research on fund holdings is necessary due diligence because a fund's performance is only as good as its holdings' performance. Don't just take our word for it, see what Barron's says on this matter.

PERFORMANCE OF HOLDINGs = PERFORMANCE OF FUND

Figures 3 and 4 show the rating landscape of all Health Care ETFs and mutual funds.

Figure 3: Separating the Best ETFs From the Worst ETFs

Sources: New Constructs, LLC and company filings

Figure 4: Separating the Best Mutual Funds From the Worst Mutual Funds

Sources: New Constructs, LLC and company filings

This article originally published here on January 23, 2017.

Disclosure: David Trainer, Kyle Guske and Kyle Martone receive no compensation to write about any specific stock, sector or theme.

Disclosure: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.

I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it. I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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Best And Worst Q1'17: Health Care ETFs And Mutual Funds - Seeking Alpha