09:07 AM EST, 01/03/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks were leaning higher premarket Friday, with The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund ( XLV ) up 0.1% and the iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) flat.

Lifecore Biomedical ( LFCR ) shares were up 3.4% pre-bell Friday after it reported late Thursday higher revenue for fiscal Q2.

Pennant Group ( PNTG ) said it closed the purchase of certain Signature Healthcare at Home assets in Oregon, and appointed Brent Guerisoli as chairman. The company's shares rose 0.9%.

Cencora ( COR ) completed the acquisition of Retina Consultants of America for $4.4 billion in cash, subject to a customary post-closing price adjustment. Cencora ( COR ) shares were up 0.1%.