01:36 PM EDT, 06/05/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were higher Wednesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index rising 0.3% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) adding 0.4%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) increased 1.7%.

In corporate news, Cytokinetics ( CYTK ) shares jumped nearly 11% after the company said Wednesday it held "good faith negotiations" with a third party, but the third party didn't proceed with an acquisition.