01:13 PM EDT, 10/30/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks rose Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index 0.6% higher and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) up 0.5%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) advanced 0.6%.

In corporate news, Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) said Thursday it submitted an unsolicited proposal to buy Metsera ( MTSR ) for $56.50 per share, for an equity value of about $6.5 billion or an enterprise value of around $6 billion. The proposal also includes contingent value rights for up to $21.25 per share in cash, or an approximate aggregated value of up to $2.5 billion, based on the achievement of regulatory and clinical milestones. Separately, Metsera ( MTSR ) said Novo's proposal is a "superior company proposal" to Pfizer's ( PFE ) bid, which is valued at $7.3 billion, including milestones. Novo shares were down 2.3%, Pfizer ( PFE ) was up 0.5%, and Metsera ( MTSR ) added 24%.