Healthcare stocks were higher late Monday afternoon, with the NYSE Healthcare Index rising 0.6% and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) adding 0.8%.
The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) advanced 0.7%.
In corporate news, Forte Biosciences (FBRX) shares soared 39% after it agreed to be acquired by Argenx (ARGX) in a deal worth about $2.2 billion. Argenx shares were down 2.5%.
AstraZeneca (AZN) shares were up 0.8% after it posted higher Q2 core earnings and revenue, and raised its interim dividend.
Ensign (ENSG) shares climbed nearly 3% after it reported higher Q2 adjusted earnings and revenue, and raised its 2026 outlook.
Veru (VERU) said Monday it has completed enrollment in a phase 2 trial evaluating its experimental drug enobosam in combination with semaglutide, in about 200 adults aged 65 and older with obesity. Veru shares gained 3.1%.