01:40 PM EDT, 07/14/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Healthcare stocks were lower Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Healthcare Index down 1.6% and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) falling 1.8%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was fractionally lower.

In corporate news, the US Justice Department recently sent civil investigative demands, which are similar to subpoenas, to lawyers for a group of hospitals and doctor groups suing Claritev ( CTEV ) for alleged antitrust violations, Bloomberg reported. Claritev ( CTEV ) shares fell past 11%.

HCA Healthcare ( HCA ) shares dropped 7.3% after the company lowered its 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance. Stephens cut the company's price target to $480 from $500, while keeping its overweight rating.

NextCure ( NXTC ) will merge with privately held Avere Therapeutics in an all-stock deal to advance Avere's lead oral IL-23 therapy, AVR-001, for inflammatory diseases, the company said. NextCure ( NXTC ) shares surged 200%.