08:50 AM EDT, 07/19/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were edging higher pre-bell Friday, with the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) up 0.6% and the iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) advancing 0.2%.

Augmedix ( AUGX ) shares were up nearly 148% after the company said it has agreed to be acquired by Commure in an all-cash deal valued at about $139 million.