Sector Update: Healthcare Stocks Edge Higher Pre-Bell Thursday

09:15 AM EDT, 10/22/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Healthcare stocks were edging higher pre-bell Thursday, with the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) advancing by 0.6% and the iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) up 0.1%. Argenx (ARGX) stock was down more than 2% after the company posted higher Q3 profit and total operating income but with profit missing analysts' expectations. Qiagen (QGEN) shares were 1% higher after the company said it agreed to be acquired by EQT Private Equity for 46.50 euros ($52.26) a share in cash, valuing the company at about 10.8 billion euros including debt. Allegion (ALLE) shares were up more than 6% after the company posted higher fiscal Q3 non-GAAP net income and revenue, and raised its 2026 guidance.