Through early trading on Thursday, September 1, 2011, these stocks are helping the Healthcare (NYSE:XLV) sector today. Long time Wall St. Cheat Sheet readers know to watch stock prices because Technicals on the Stock Chart are Strong’ is one of the ‘T’s in our CHEAT SHEET investing framework.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY.) is among the sector price gainers, as its shares are trading at $29.91, up 17 cents (+0.6%) from the previous close of $29.75. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is a global company which develops, manufactures and sells pharmaceutical products.

Stock Price Performance: From June 6, 2011, to August 30, 2011, the stock price had risen $1.47 (5.3%) from $27.65 to $29.12. The stock price saw one of its best stretches over the last year between August 31, 2010 and September 13, 2010 when shares rose for nine straight trading days, rising 4.1% (+$1.03). It saw one of its worst periods between January 3, 2011 and January 11, 2011 when shares fell for seven straight trading days, falling 2.5% (-63 cents).

Medtronic Inc. (NYSE:MDT) is among the top price gainers in the sector. Its shares are trading at $35.28, up 18 cents (+0.6%) from the previous close of $35.07. Medtronic provides products and therapies for medical professionals to meet the healthcare needs of their patients.

Stock Price Performance: From June 7, 2011, to August 31, 2011, the stock price had fallen $3.48 (-9%) from $38.55 to $35.07. The stock price saw one of its best stretches over the last year between March 22, 2011 and March 30, 2011 when shares rose for seven straight trading days, rising 4.7% (+$1.75). It saw one of its worst periods between May 18, 2011 and May 25, 2011 when shares fell for six straight trading days, falling 6.9% (-$2.95).

AmerisourceBergen Corporation (NYSE:ABC) is among the sector price gainers, as its shares are trading at $39.91, up 33 cents (+0.8%) from the previous close of $39.58. AmerisourceBergen Corporation is a pharmaceutical services company providing drug distribution and related healthcare services to pharmacy, physician, and manufacturer customers based in North America.

Stock Price Performance: From July 6, 2011, to August 31, 2011, the stock price had fallen $3.38 (-7.9%) from $42.96 to $39.58. The stock price saw one of its best stretches over the last year between December 13, 2010 and December 23, 2010 when shares rose for nine straight trading days, rising 9.5% (+$2.95). It saw one of its worst periods between July 22, 2011 and August 1, 2011 when shares fell for seven straight trading days, falling 6.9% (-$2.78).

DENTSPLY International Inc. (NASDAQ:XRAY) is among the top price gainers in the sector. Its shares are trading at $35.42, up 22 cents (+0.6%) from the previous close of $35.20. DENTSPLY International, Inc. manufactures and distributes dental equipment and products, including artificial teeth and dental consumable products.

Stock Price Performance: From July 6, 2011, to August 31, 2011, the stock price had fallen $3.65 (-9.4%) from $38.85 to $35.20. The stock price saw one of its best stretches over the last year between June 27, 2011 and July 8, 2011 when shares rose for nine straight trading days, rising 5.6% (+$2.07). It saw one of its worst periods between May 31, 2011 and June 8, 2011 when shares fell for seven straight trading days, falling 5.7% (-$2.22).

Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc. (NASDAQ:PPDI) is among the sector price gainers, as its shares are trading at $32.41, up 93 cents (+2.9%) from the previous close of $31.48. Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc. is a global contract research organization, which provides drug discovery and development services, post-approval expertise and compound partnering programs.

Stock Price Performance: From June 7, 2011, to August 31, 2011, the stock price had risen $4.61 (17.2%) from $26.87 to $31.48. The stock price saw one of its best stretches over the last year between December 7, 2010 and December 16, 2010 when shares rose for eight straight trading days, rising 7.5% (+$1.86). It saw one of its worst periods between March 9, 2011 and March 18, 2011 when shares fell for eight straight trading days, falling 5.5% (-$1.58).