01:32 PM EST, 12/27/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were lower Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index down 0.7% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) shedding 0.8%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) fell 1.1%.

In corporate news, UnitedHealth Group ( UNH ) and Amedisys ( AMED ) agreed to extend the deadline of their planned merger as the deal faces scrutiny from the US Department of Justice over competition concerns. UnitedHealth ( UNH ) shares were down 0.5% while Amedisys ( AMED ) shares jumped 4.8%.