Analysis-US healthcare stocks roiled by investor tug of war over economy

U.S. stock fund flows into and out of the healthcare sector have swung wildly from week to week lately, as investors have adjusted their bets over how long the economy will stay strong. Many view healthcare as a defensive sector because it has constant demand and is somewhat insulated from the economy. Down nearly 2% for the year to date, healthcare has badly lagged the gain of over 17% in the S&P 500 index as U.S. economic growth has heated up to what the Atlanta Federal Reserve estimates is a booming 5.9% expansion in the third quarter.