01:38 PM EDT, 06/07/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were higher Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) each rising about 0.3%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) fell 0.4%.

In corporate news, Asensus Surgical ( ASXC ) shares surged 41% after the company agreed to be acquired by Karl Storz Endoscopy-America, a unit of Karl Storz, for $0.35 per share in cash.