Weight Watchers brand ice cream in a supermarket freezer in New York.
- WW International's stock surged after the company said it agreed to buy Sequence, a telehealth platform that helps treat obesity.
- WeightWatchers has struggled over the past year as it attempted to adapt its weight-loss messaging for wellness culture.
- The trend of using obesity medications for weight loss has led to a shortage for those who use it to treat conditions like diabetes.
Shares of WW International, also known as WeightWatchers, skyrocketed Tuesday after the company said it planned to buy Sequence, a telehealth platform that provides treatment for obesity.
The stock closed 79% higher on Tuesday. Its market value stood at more than $488 million.
"It is our responsibility, as the trusted leader in weight management, to support those interested in exploring if medications are right for them," WW CEO Sima Sistani said in a Monday announcement.
Tuesday's jump follows a year of sagging performance for the stock. Shares of the company were down 57% over the past year as it struggled to pivot to wellness and move away from weight loss.
Sistani took over as chief executive at the end of February, steering the company back toward weight loss messaging.
Money Report
The Sequence announcement comes as companies across the weight loss industry look to offer obesity medications as a pathway to customers looking to shed pounds.
The trend has led to a shortage in medications like Ozempic, which are commonly prescribed for Type 2 diabetes.
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