02:02 PM EST, 03/07/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were rising Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index adding 0.3% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) up 0.4%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) rose 1.1%.

In sector news, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plans to conduct a large study into the potential relationship between vaccines and autism, Reuters reported.

In corporate news, Walgreens Boots Alliance ( WBA ) jumped past 7% after the drugstore chain agreed to be acquired by an affiliate of Sycamore Partners in a deal worth up to $23.7 billion.

Molina Healthcare ( MOH ) and Molina Healthcare of Texas have agreed to a $40 million settlement with Texas following a Medicaid fraud investigation. Molina shares rose 2.4%.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals ( VRTX ) shares added 1%. The firm said Thursday that its Journavx non-opioid pain killer has been added by UnitedHealth Group's (UNH) drug plan unit Optum Rx to its formulary.