Consumer stocks were mixed premarket Wednesday, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) retreating 0.2% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) was flat.
Unilever (UL) shares were down more than 2% pre-bell following a nearly 9% rise at the previous close. Reuters reported that the company agreed to protect the employment terms and conditions of workers in its European and UK food business for two years after its planned 2027 merger with McCormick (MKC). McCormick stock was fractionally higher.
Ford Motor (F) shares rose more than 6% after the automaker lifted its full-year core profit outlook, while the company reported an unexpected year-over-year increase in its Q2 earnings and recorded revenue above market estimates.
Lithia & Driveway (LAD) stock was 4% higher after the company reported higher Q2 adjusted earnings and revenue.