-- Health care stocks rose Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) increasing 0.3% each.
The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was shedding 0.4%.
In corporate news, Pfizer's (PFE) Q1 results surpassed analysts' estimates as robust demand across its key brands offset weakening sales of its COVID-19 products. Its shares declined 0.7%.
Merck (MRK) shares added 0.4% after the company said Tuesday it has completed the acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals after a cash tender offer at $53 per share. Terns' stock will no longer be listed on Nasdaq, it said.
BioNTech (BNTX) shares dropped 3.5% after the company reported a wider adjusted loss and lower revenue in Q1.