08:45 AM EST, 01/06/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were higher in Monday's premarket hours with the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) up 0.3% and the iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) advancing by 0.1%.

Regional Health Properties ( RHE/PA ) and SunLink Health Systems (SSY) said they have agreed to merge in an all-stock deal. Regional Health shares were up more than 250% and SunLink Health shares were over 30% higher in recent premarket activity.