Sector Update: Health Care Stocks Decline Late Afternoon
Health care stocks were softer late Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) each decreasing 0.7%.The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) dropped 1.3%.In corporate news, Abbott Laboratories (ABT) lowered its full-year earnings outlook on Thursday to reflect the acquisition of cancer diagnostics company Exact Sciences, while the healthcare firm reported Q1 results above market estimates. Its shares fell past 5%.Gilead Sciences (GILD) could beat Q1 consensus estimates, but weaker-than-expected persistence rates for Yeztugo point to a potential risk to long-term peak sales for the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis drug, RBC Capital Markets said in a note. Gilead shares were down 0.8%.QuidelOrtho (QDEL) shares tumbled 28%. The company said late Wednesday it expects preliminary unaudited revenue of $615 million to $620 million for Q1. Analysts polled by FactSet expect $677.8 million.Hims & Hers Health (HIMS) shares jumped past 12% after a senior US health official signaled plans to ease restrictions on certain peptides.