Last week, healthcare stocks rose to close holiday-shortened week, generating nearly a 0.3% gain for the NYSE Health Care Index during late trade. With the new year approaching, the healthcare sector is moving on excitement surrounding announcements of innovative treatment options and novel approaches to medical technologies. As companies in the sector work hard to develop new drugs, devices, and technologies investors continue to place their bets in the sector. The healthcare sector is the only sector in the S&P 500 with gains over 1% this year, as of December 28th. With an 2.6% gain, the healthcare sector is outperforming other sectors such as utilities 0.74% and consumer discretionary -1.97% as well as the general market -7.34%. Several companies in the industry have released announcements this holiday season that could be setting themselves up for a strong start into the new year.Click Here For 3 Healthcare Stocks That Could Rally Into The New Year