01:34 PM EST, 02/27/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were rising Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index adding 0.3% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) up 0.2%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) rose 0.3%.

In corporate news, a buyout of Walgreens Boots Alliance ( WBA ) would set the stage for a three-way split of the company, with Executive Chair Stefano Pessina keeping a notable stake under the agreement, the Financial Times reported. Walgreens shares rose 4.2%.