03:56 PM EDT, 07/27/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Healthcare stocks were higher late Monday afternoon, with the NYSE Healthcare Index rising 0.6% and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) adding 0.8%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) advanced 0.7%.

In corporate news, Forte Biosciences ( FBRX ) shares soared 39% after it agreed to be acquired by Argenx (ARGX) in a deal worth about $2.2 billion. Argenx shares were down 2.5%.

AstraZeneca ( AZN ) shares were up 0.8% after it posted higher Q2 core earnings and revenue, and raised its interim dividend.

Ensign (ENSG) shares climbed nearly 3% after it reported higher Q2 adjusted earnings and revenue, and raised its 2026 outlook.

Veru ( VERU ) said Monday it has completed enrollment in a phase 2 trial evaluating its experimental drug enobosam in combination with semaglutide, in about 200 adults aged 65 and older with obesity. Veru ( VERU ) shares gained 3.1%.