Health-care companies rose after a robust earnings outlook from one major insurer.
Shares of UnitedHealth Group, the largest U.S. health insurer by enrollees, rose after it boosted its full-year outlook for 2021, and said costs tied to Covid-19 treatments during the pandemic were offset by dampened demand for elective healthcare procedures. The market value of UnitedHealth has more than doubled since March 2020.
Walgreens Boots Alliance will pay $5.2 billion to acquire a controlling stake in primary-care network VillageMD as the pharmacy chain seeks to remodel itself as a health-care provider.
Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
10-14-21 1705ET
