Health-care companies rose as traders rotated into defensive areas ahead of key jobs data.

Shares of UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health and other companies involved in U.S. health-insurance system, rose, as other players in the industry came under political scrutiny. A U.S. Senate committee accused private-equity healthcare investors of choosing profits over patient care. The committee's report on two troubled hospitals contained scathing criticism of the institutions' Wall Street owners, Leonard Green and Apollo Global Management.

Investment firms have played growing and controversial roles in ownership and management of regional surgery chains and mid-sized hospitals.

Novo Nordisk expanded a deal with Valo Health to discover and develop treatments for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease using human data and artificial intelligence.

Moderna shares gave back most of their gains, amid volatility. Activist investor Trian Fund Management sent shares of Solventum, the healthcare company spun out of 3M in 2024, higher.

Hospital operator Prospect Medical Holdings, a large tenant of the biggest hospital landlord in the U.S., is working with restructuring advisers to explore options to address financial challenges.


Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

01-08-25 1807ET