[BRIEFING.COM] "The broader market has slipped in the first few minutes of trade, but health care has managed to extend its strong gains from the previous session as participants continue to consider the possibility that health care reform may be stalled or stymied by Republican Scott Brown's Massachusetts Senate seat win. In addition to their 2.0% gain in the previous session, health care stocks are up 0.6% this morning.
Managed care providers have underpinned the health care sector's strength for two straight sessions. Managed care providers climbed 3.7% in the previous session and are already up another 1.9% this morning. Cigna (CI 39.15, +1.23) is currently a primary leader in the pack.
Financials recently joined health care stocks in higher ground. The move comes as diversified banks bounce to a 1.1% gain. Still, the broader sector is up a modest 0.4%. Nonetheless, financials and health care stocks make up the only two sectors to sport gains." |