Stocks in the healthcare sector were among the top gainers as quarterly earnings came in the up side.
UnitedHealth Group reported results well above analysts' expectations and substantially raised its earnings projection for the year, moves likely to bolster Wall Street's belief in the healthcare company's financial turnaround.
Abbott Laboratories reported higher revenue in the second quarter, boosted by more sales in its diagnostics business.
Eli Lilly has struck a deal to buy mental-health-focused AtaiBeckley for an initial $2.8 billion, continuing the drugmaker's recent buying spree. Eli Lilly said it will pay $6.75 a share in cash for AtaiBeckley, a 26% premium to Wednesday's closing price of $5.36 for the New York clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company.
U.S. regulators approved a first-of-its kind pill from Merck that is designed to help lower cholesterol levels beyond what statins alone can achieve. The Food and Drug Administration cleared Lipfendra to treat high cholesterol, which is a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.
