03:35 PM EDT, 08/08/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were advancing late Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index gaining 2.3% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) rising 1.9%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed 2.3%.

In corporate news, Bausch Health's ( BHC ) plan to spin off its eye-care unit Bausch + Lomb is stalled due to a disagreement between major shareholders and debtholders, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. Bausch Health ( BHC ) shares popped 5.7%.