03:34 PM EDT, 08/20/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks rose late Wednesday afternoon with the NYSE Health Care Index and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) each adding 0.6%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) increased 0.5%.

In corporate news, Alcon ( ALC ) missed Q2 revenue consensus due to softer market conditions and reported an earnings-per-share beat on a lower tax rate, while its contact lens market share was likely up in the quarter, Needham said. Alcon ( ALC ) shares fell 9.6%.