Consumer stocks were edging higher pre-bell Wednesday, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) and State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) advancing by 0.1%.
Kroger (KR) stock was down more than 3% after the company said it has agreed to acquire regional supermarket chain Giant Eagle in a $1.65 billion deal, expanding its presence across northern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana.
General Mills (GIS) shares were up more than 5% after the company posted higher fiscal Q4 adjusted earnings and net sales.
Brightstar Lottery (BRSL) said Wednesday it has secured an exclusive five-year contract extension with Sony Pictures (SONY) to develop and distribute Ghostbusters-themed lottery games globally. Brightstar Lottery stock was 0.8% higher premarket.