<div id="readability-page-1">03:58 PM EST, 12/11/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Health care stocks rose late Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index up 0.9% and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) adding 0.8%.The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) increased 0.8%.In corporate news, STAAR Surgical ( STAA ) refuted Thursday investor Broadwood Partners' allegations, saying there was no &#34;credible buyer&#34; during the go-shop process related to the Alcon (ALC) merger deal. STAAR shares climbed 2.9%.Eli Lilly ( LLY ) rose 1.3% after the firm said the two highest investigational doses of its drug retatrutide met their primary endpoints of &#34;significant&#34; weight loss and reduced pain in obese or overweight adults with knee osteoarthritis in a phase 3 trial.Johnson &amp; Johnson ( JNJ ) is positioned for upside heading into 2026 as multiple medtech and immunology catalysts support its growth outlook, RBC Capital Markets said in a note. RBC kept its outperform rating and raised its price target to $230 from $209. Johnson &amp; Johnson ( JNJ ) shares added 1.7%.Rhythm Pharmaceuticals ( RYTM ) shares jumped past 12% after the company said preliminary results from an exploratory phase 2 trial of setmelanotide in Prader-Willi syndrome showed body mass index and hyperphagia reductions at three and six months in patients. MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.</div>

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Health care stocks rose, with NYSE Health Care Index up 0.9%. STAAR Surgical shares climbed 2.9% amid merger news. Eli Lilly's drug trial success boosted shares by 1.3%. Johnson & Johnson's growth outlook led to a 1.7% share increase. Rhythm Pharmaceuticals shares surged 12% following positive trial results.

Sector Update: Health Care Stocks Advance Late Afternoon