01:53 PM EDT, 04/21/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks declined Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index down 1.1% and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) shedding 0.7%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) decreased 0.7%.

In corporate news, Merck ( MRK ) and Japanese health care company Eisai said Tuesday that phase 3 trials of two drug combinations failed to meet primary endpoints of progression-free survival and overall survival as a first-line treatment of patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma compared with Keytruda plus Lenvima. Merck ( MRK ) shares fell 3.9%.

UnitedHealth Group ( UNH ) raised its full-year earnings outlook on Tuesday as the health insurance giant recorded an unexpected annual increase in its first-quarter results. Its shares jumped past 8%.

Quest Diagnostics ( DGX ) shares popped 4% after it reported higher Q1 adjusted earnings and net revenue and raised its 2026 outlook.