Healthcare stocks were higher Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Healthcare Index rising 0.9% and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) adding 0.9%.
The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed up 1%.
In corporate news, Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) shares jumped past 8% after it reported higher fiscal Q2 adjusted earnings and revenue.
Quest Diagnostics (DGX) shares rose 6.6% after the company reported higher Q2 adjusted earnings and revenue, and raised its 2026 outlook.
Neuphoria Therapeutics (NEUP) and Scancell Holdings said Thursday they have struck an all-stock merger deal in which Scancell will acquire Neuphoria. Neuphoria shares surged 20%.
Westin Acquisition (WSTN) and First Choice Healthcare Solutions said they have agreed to merge to create a publicly traded healthcare and wellness company. Shares edged up 0.2%.