01:41 PM EDT, 09/13/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks advanced Friday afternoon with the NYSE Health Care Index up 0.3% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) gaining 0.4%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed 1.4%.

In corporate news, MBX Biosciences (MBX) shares debuted on Nasdaq with an opening of $23, above the initial public offering price of $16. The stock surged 43% in recent trading.