-- Health care stocks were softer late Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) each decreasing 0.7%.
The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) dropped 1.3%.
In corporate news, Abbott Laboratories (ABT) lowered its full-year earnings outlook on Thursday to reflect the acquisition of cancer diagnostics company Exact Sciences, while the healthcare firm reported Q1 results above market estimates. Its shares fell past 5%.
Gilead Sciences (GILD) could beat Q1 consensus estimates, but weaker-than-expected persistence rates for Yeztugo point to a potential risk to long-term peak sales for the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis drug, RBC Capital Markets said in a note. Gilead shares were down 0.8%.
QuidelOrtho (QDEL) shares tumbled 28%. The company said late Wednesday it expects preliminary unaudited revenue of $615 million to $620 million for Q1. Analysts polled by FactSet expect $677.8 million.
Hims & Hers Health (HIMS) shares jumped past 12% after a senior US health official signaled plans to ease restrictions on certain peptides.