09:17 AM EDT, 10/15/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were flat to lower pre-bell Tuesday with the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund ( XLV ) down 1% and the iShares Biotechnology ETF ( IBB ) recently inactive.

UnitedHealth Group ( UNH ) shares declined by over 9% after the company narrowed its full-year 2024 adjusted net earnings outlook to between $27.50 and $27.75 per share, from $27.50 to $28.

Walgreens Boots Alliance ( WBA ) shares were up nearly 5% after the company reported fiscal Q4 adjusted net earnings per share and sales that topped estimates from analysts polled by Capital IQ, and said it aims to close about 1,200 stores over the next three years, with around 500 planned for fiscal 2025.

Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ) shares were over 1% lower after the company reported fiscal Q3 adjusted net earnings of $2.42 per diluted share, down from $2.66 a year earlier. The company also lowered its guidance for full-year adjusted diluted earnings per share.