01:44 PM EDT, 07/19/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were advancing Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index adding 0.3% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) up 0.4%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) shed 0.2%.

In corporate news, Augmedix ( AUGX ) shares surged nearly 147% after the company said it had agreed to be acquired by Commure in an all-cash deal valued at about $139 million.