Healthcare stocks advanced late Thursday afternoon with the NYSE Healthcare Index gaining 1.2% and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) rising 1.1%.
The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) added 1%.
In corporate news, Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) shares jumped 8.9% after fiscal Q2 adjusted earnings and revenue topped estimates.
Quest Diagnostics (DGX) shares rose 8% after Q2 adjusted earnings and revenue exceeded market consensus.
Neuphoria Therapeutics (NEUP) agreed to be acquired by Scancell Holdings in an all-stock deal. Neuphoria shares jumped 15%.
Agilon Health (AGL) shares fell 14% after Citigroup downgraded the stock to sell from neutral and lifted its price target to $105 from $80.