-- Consumer staples stocks were advancing about 0.5% in midday trading Tuesday, posting a very thin lead over gains for information technology shares.
Woolworths Group (ASX:WOW) was up nearly 1% and Coles Group (ASX:COL) rose less than 1%.
On the flip side, energy stocks were down 1% as oil prices trended lower amid hopes that Iran will join a second round of peace negotiations with the US.
Woodside Energy Group (ASX:WDS) was shedding almost 2%, while Santos (ASX:STO) was down more than 1%.
Quest Diagnostics (DGX) has an average rating of overweight and mean price target of $219, according to analysts polled by FactSet.(covers equity, commodity and economic research from major banks and research firms in North America, Asia and Europe. Research providers may contact us here: https://www..com/contact-us)Price: $204.33, Change: $+8.02, Percent Change: +4.09%
Tractor Supply (TSCO) has an average rating of overweight and mean price target of $56.19, according to analysts polled by FactSet.(covers equity, commodity and economic research from major banks and research firms in North America, Asia and Europe. Research providers may contact us here: https://www..com/contact-us)Price: $39.92, Change: $-4.90, Percent Change: -10.92%
Energy stocks were higher Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index rising 1.1% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) adding 1.2%.The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index was climbing 1.8%, while the Dow Jones US Utilities Index fell 1.3%.Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 4.8% to $93.94 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 4.4% to $99.68 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures increased 0.3% to $2.70 per 1 million BTU.In corporate news, Halliburton (HAL) shares gained 4.1% after it reported lower Q1 adjusted net income and revenue that still topped analysts' expectations.