The stock market has had an up-and-down week, and Friday was no exception. Major market indexes finished mixed, but the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) and the Nasdaq-100 Index managed to post modest gains to finish the week.
The healthcare industry has gotten a lot of attention from investors lately, especially among companies that could play a role in fighting the coronavirus pandemic. Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG) doesn't have any direct connection to COVID-19, but many see the robotic surgery leader as a vital piece of ensuring that medical professionals can safely conduct procedures with minimal risk to themselves and their patients, and its stock climbed considerably. Meanwhile, Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA) enjoyed significant gains as well on continuing hopes that a vaccine against COVID-19 could put an end to the suffering around the world.
Intuitive Surgical had a good day, as its shares climbed higher by nearly 8%. The maker of robotic surgical equipment remains the key player in its market, and bad news from a competitor could mean a lasting competitive advantage for Intuitive Surgical.