Healthcare stocks were higher Monday afternoon, with the NYSE Healthcare Index rising 0.8% and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) adding 0.9%.
The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) advanced 0.5%.
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 2.2%.
AstraZeneca (AZN) shares were up marginally after it posted higher Q2 core earnings and revenue, and raised its interim dividend.
Ensign (ENSG) shares climbed 4% after it reported higher Q2 adjusted earnings and revenue, and raised its 2026 outlook.