03:45 PM EDT, 07/17/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks declined late Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index falling 1.4% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) shedding 1.2%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) rose 0.5%.

In corporate news, Bristol-Myers Squibb ( BMY ) and Pfizer ( PFE ) said they are jointly launching a direct-to-patient option for buying Eliquis via Eliquis 360 Support. Bristol-Myers shares rose 1.7%, and Pfizer ( PFE ) was easing 0.2%.