01:42 PM EDT, 10/16/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were edging higher Wednesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) each adding 0.2%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) rose 0.3%.

In corporate news, Abbott Laboratories ( ABT ) reported better-than-expected Q3 results on Wednesday amid double-digit revenue growth in its medical devices segment, while the company narrowed its full-year earnings outlook range. Its shares rose 1.2%.