Sector Update: Healthcare

08:59 AM EDT, 10/02/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Healthcare stocks were edging higher pre-bell Friday, with the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) up 0.4% and the iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) advancing by 1.1%. Ensign (ENSG) acquired eight facilities in Florida, four in Washington and seven in Colorado, all operated by its affiliates, the company said in separate statements. Shares of Ensign Group were more than 1% higher premarket.