08:58 AM EDT, 10/31/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were flat to lower pre-bell Friday, with the iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) inactive and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) down 0.9%.

Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) Chief Executive Maziar Mike Doustdar said in a post on his verified LinkedIn account that employees impacted by layoffs "in the vast majority of our geographies" have been notified that they will lose their jobs, though the pace has varied in accordance with local regulations. Shares of Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) were down more than 2% premarket.