High interest rates, rising oil prices and concerns around an AI-fueled bubble are making many investors rethink how much risk they really want in their portfolios. Instead of chasing the hottest stories, some are looking at larger companies that historically show calmer price swings and stronger balance sheets. This article focuses on three stocks from a low volatility screener that appear particularly exposed to these macro trends and could either help cushion the bumps or feel the strain. Read on to see which three stocks stand out, and how they might fit into your own risk and return trade-offs.

National HealthCare (NHC)

Overview: National HealthCare Corporation runs a broad network of skilled nursing, assisted and independent living, homecare, hospice, behavioral health services and related pharmacies across the U.S., serving older adults and patients needing rehabilitative or long term care.

Operations: The company generates most of its US$1.53b revenue from Inpatient Services at about US$1.32b, with Homecare and Hospice contributing roughly US$157.4m and other activities about US$46.6m, all within the United States.

Market Cap: US$3.1b

National HealthCare sits squarely in the kind of steady, essential service that many investors look for when interest rates are high and more growth-dependent stocks feel fragile. It has a diversified senior care model, exposure across the full care continuum and an acquisition pipeline illustrated by its recent move to fully own five skilled nursing facilities. Earnings and margins have been edging up, supported by a larger credit facility that gives it room to keep expanding, although new debt and recent insider selling add real risk that cannot be ignored. For investors who want low volatility exposure tied to long term senior care demand, the full story behind this mix of stability, growth potential and funding risk is worth a closer look.

Steady senior care cash flows, paired with fresh credit capacity, could be masking a more complex risk reward profile. View the 2 key rewards and 1 important warning sign to see what might shift this story next.

Elevance Health (ELV)

Overview: Elevance Health is one of the largest U.S. health insurers, offering medical, pharmacy, behavioral health and related services through brands like Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Wellpoint and Carelon to individuals, employers and government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

Operations: Elevance Health generates the bulk of its US$200.4b revenue from Health Benefits at about US$168.2b, with CarelonRx at roughly US$43.9b, Carelon Services around US$29.1b and the remainder from Corporate & Other and investment related items, all within the United States.

Market Cap: US$87.7b

For investors focused on high interest rates and concerns about an AI bubble, Elevance Health offers a large, cash generative health benefits business with historically low share price volatility and a growing services arm in Carelon that uses analytics and AI to manage costs. Recent earnings outperformance, raised EPS guidance and chronic care initiatives indicate that the underlying operations remain active and focused, even as net margins sit in the low single digits and medical cost trends require tight discipline. Regulatory risks around Medicare, Medicaid and ACA pricing, plus reliance on external borrowing, mean this is not a set and forget holding. At the same time, the combination of scale, recurring premiums and a valuation that some models view as below estimated fair value makes the broader investment case an area some investors may wish to examine more closely.

Elevance Health’s scale and cash generation could be masking a rare mix of resilience and underappreciated potential. Compare that story with the analyst forecasts for Elevance Health to see where expectations might be quietly stretching or falling short.

Hologic (HOLX)

Overview: Hologic develops and supplies diagnostics, imaging systems and surgical products focused on women's health, helping clinicians detect and treat conditions such as cancers, infections and reproductive health issues at earlier stages.

Operations: Hologic generates most of its US$4.13b revenue from Diagnostics at about US$1.82b and Breast Health at roughly US$1.49b, with GYN Surgical contributing around US$694.3m and Skeletal Health about US$120.3m.

Market Cap: US$16.9b

Hologic stands out in a tougher market backdrop because its core diagnostics and breast health tools are tied to essential care rather than discretionary spending. However, the company still faces real pressure from higher input costs, tariffs and segment level margin strains. The business leans on high value products including AI supported breast imaging and genomic tests such as Breast Cancer Index, which are gaining clinical guideline support. At the same time, one off losses, slower revenue growth and a relatively high P/E highlight that execution on new products and international expansion has to keep improving. For investors looking for lower volatility exposure to women's health with a mix of resilience and execution risk, Hologic is a story worth watching more closely.

Hologic’s women’s health focus and high value tools could be setting up an underappreciated next chapter for the stock, but the real twist sits in the analyst forecasts for Hologic that might reveal what the market is missing

The three stocks covered here are just a starting sample, with the full Low Volatility Stocks screener surfacing 22 more large, lower volatility companies that may offer equally compelling risk and reward stories. Use Simply Wall St to identify and analyze the specific catalysts, balance sheet strength and earnings narratives that matter most to you, so you can focus on the highest conviction ideas in this low volatility space.

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If Elevance Health or any of these companies sound like a great opportunity, register for FREE with Simply Wall St and add your companies to a Watchlist to monitor the share price against the fair value the ideal entry point. Once you've made your move, manage your holdings with our Portfolio Command Center that filters out the noise to deliver only the most critical, actionable updates. Throughout your journey, our Community allows you to filter the best ideas from thousands of investor perspectives. By uncovering hidden catalysts and risks early, you'll accelerate your decision-making and stay one step ahead of the market.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.