Healthcare 14 February 2026 - 26 February 2026

Merck (MRK) stock price jumps after Keytruda survival data; Gardasil layoffs in focus next week
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Merck (MRK) stock price jumps after Keytruda survival data; Gardasil layoffs in focus next week

Merck shares closed up 3.8% Friday after reporting Keytruda cut the risk of death by 18% in a late-stage ovarian cancer trial. The company will lay off about 150 workers at a North Carolina Gardasil plant amid weak vaccine demand in China. Investors await management remarks at a March 3 health-care conference. Keytruda accounts for nearly half of Merck’s revenue, with major patents expiring from 2028.
February 28, 2026
UnitedHealth stock price drops as Medicare Advantage enrollment slips; UNH investors eye CMS rates
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UnitedHealth stock price drops as Medicare Advantage enrollment slips; UNH investors eye CMS rates

UnitedHealth Group shares fell 2.6% to $284.20 Thursday after federal data showed its Medicare Advantage enrollment dropped over 5% year-over-year to 9.3 million. The board approved a $2.21 quarterly dividend. A securities filing added a two-year holding period to CEO Stephen Hemsley’s stock options. CMS will announce final 2027 Medicare Advantage rates by April 6.
February 26, 2026
Novo Nordisk stock slips again as Wegovy price cuts and CagriSema doubts weigh
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Novo Nordisk stock slips again as Wegovy price cuts and CagriSema doubts weigh

Novo Nordisk shares fell 1.7% in Copenhagen after the company announced U.S. list-price cuts for Wegovy and Ozempic starting January 2027. Analysts flagged rising price pressure and doubts over Novo’s next obesity drug, CagriSema, which underperformed Eli Lilly’s rival in trials. Barclays slashed its peak sales forecast for CagriSema to $2 billion from $12 billion. Novo has lost about $475 billion in market value since June.
February 25, 2026
UnitedHealth stock extends slide after bell as Medicare Advantage deadline nears
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UnitedHealth stock extends slide after bell as Medicare Advantage deadline nears

UnitedHealth Group shares dropped 2.6% to $273.95 in after-hours trading Tuesday, extending a two-day slide ahead of Wednesday’s deadline for comments on the proposed 2027 Medicare Advantage payment update. The stock has lost about 5.5% over two sessions as investors brace for possible changes to government reimbursement rates that could affect 2027 profits.
February 25, 2026
JNJ stock price today: Johnson & Johnson shares hold steady as drug news and a Bayer lawsuit collide
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JNJ stock price today: Johnson & Johnson shares hold steady as drug news and a Bayer lawsuit collide

Johnson & Johnson shares slipped 0.1% to $245.6 Tuesday, lagging a 0.8% S&P 500 gain, as the stock traded ex-dividend and investors weighed new oncology updates and legal risk. Bayer sued the company over Erleada marketing claims, seeking an injunction and damages in Manhattan federal court. The European Commission approved new subcutaneous dosing for Rybrevant.
February 24, 2026
AbbVie stock (ABBV): FDA clears new Venclexta-Calquence CLL combo — what to watch Monday
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AbbVie stock (ABBV): FDA clears new Venclexta-Calquence CLL combo — what to watch Monday

U.S. regulators approved a new first-line regimen for chronic lymphocytic leukemia combining AbbVie’s Venclexta and AstraZeneca’s Calquence, citing improved progression-free survival in the AMPLIFY study. AbbVie shares closed Friday up 0.21% at $224.81. Barclays initiated coverage with an overweight rating and a $275 price target. Investors await market reaction when trading resumes Monday.
February 22, 2026
UnitedHealth stock edges up near $290 as Medicare Advantage shakeout returns to spotlight
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UnitedHealth stock edges up near $290 as Medicare Advantage shakeout returns to spotlight

UnitedHealth shares rose 0.5% to $289.57 Thursday, outperforming a weaker U.S. market after new research showed nearly 3 million Medicare Advantage members must switch plans in 2026. The study found rural enrollees face higher disruption rates, with UnitedHealthcare accounting for 14% of forced switches. Investors are watching upcoming Medicare Advantage payment decisions for 2027. UnitedHealth’s Change Healthcare unit remains under scrutiny after a 2024 cyberattack.
February 19, 2026
UnitedHealth stock slips as Medicare Advantage plan disruptions hit headlines — what to watch before April 6
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UnitedHealth stock slips as Medicare Advantage plan disruptions hit headlines — what to watch before April 6

UnitedHealth shares slipped 0.1% to $288.83 Wednesday as a new study reported nearly 3 million Medicare Advantage enrollees had to switch plans in 2026 due to insurer exits. UnitedHealthcare accounted for 14% of disruptions, with higher rates in rural areas. CMS set a Feb. 25 deadline for comments on 2027 Medicare Advantage proposals, with a rate announcement due by April 6.
February 18, 2026
Eli Lilly stock slips even after Zepbound-Taltz psoriasis data; investors eye what’s next for LLY
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Eli Lilly stock slips even after Zepbound-Taltz psoriasis data; investors eye what’s next for LLY

Eli Lilly shares dropped 1.8% to $1,017.86 by late morning Wednesday, underperforming the S&P 500. The company reported late-stage trial data showing its Zepbound-Taltz combination improved skin and weight outcomes in psoriasis patients versus Taltz alone. Investors remain cautious about Lilly’s ability to expand use-cases and defend pricing as competition increases.
February 18, 2026
UnitedHealth stock price slips as CEO investment report renews scrutiny
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UnitedHealth stock price slips as CEO investment report renews scrutiny

UnitedHealth shares fell 0.8% to $290.89 by late morning after a Wall Street Journal report flagged CEO Stephen Hemsley’s private investments in healthcare startups, raising conflict-of-interest questions. The company said Hemsley’s holdings are in a trust managed by independent trustees. Medicare Advantage rate deadlines and slower enrollment growth also weighed on the stock. Managed-care peers mostly traded higher.
February 17, 2026
UnitedHealth stock pauses for a holiday — new Medicare Advantage numbers set up the next move
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UnitedHealth stock pauses for a holiday — new Medicare Advantage numbers set up the next move

UnitedHealth Group shares climbed 3.1% to $293.19 Friday, with 10.3 million shares traded before U.S. markets closed for Presidents Day. New federal data show Medicare Advantage enrollment growth slowing to 3% year over year, raising questions about managed-care margins. Peers like Humana have flagged profit pressure after lower government quality scores. Investors await CMS updates on 2027 rates, due by April 6.
February 16, 2026
Healthcare stocks head into Presidents Day break on Moderna rebound, Wegovy copycat fight
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Healthcare stocks head into Presidents Day break on Moderna rebound, Wegovy copycat fight

The S&P 500 Health Care index rose 1.01% to 1,835.92 on Friday, with Dexcom up 7.6% and Moderna up 5.3% after earnings. Moderna warned of regulatory uncertainty after the FDA refused to review its flu shot. Disc Medicine shares fell 21% after the FDA declined to approve its rare-disease drug. U.S. markets close Monday for Presidents Day; Medtronic reports Tuesday.
February 14, 2026
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