Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Rise Late Afternoon
Consumer stocks were higher late Wednesday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) rising 1.5% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) adding 1.7%.Redbook US same-store sales rose by 9% from a year earlier in the week ended May 23 after an 8.1% year-over-year increase in the previous week. "Demand for a wide variety of summer, home and garden, and seasonal apparel products was the main focus for most consumers," Redbook said.In corporate news, Lululemon Athletica (LULU) said Wednesday that it has settled its dispute with company founder Chip Wilson. Wilson, who owns an 8.7% stake in the company, sent a letter in April to shareholders questioning the appointment of Heidi O'Neill as chief executive. Lululemon shares gained 3.9%.Tesla (TSLA) and SpaceX (SPCX) may eventually merge after SpaceX's initial public offering in a move that would consolidate Elon Musk's control across his companies, according to early SpaceX investor Peter Diamandis, Bloomberg reported, citing an interview. Tesla shares rose 1.1%.Abercrombie & Fitch's (ANF) fiscal Q1 earnings topped Wall Street's projections amid record sales for the apparel retailer. Its shares climbed past 13%.Bath & Body Works' (BBWI) fiscal Q1 results exceeded market estimates, while the personal care and home fragrance retailer said its chief financial officer plans to step down. Its shares jumped nearly 11%.Manchester United (MANU) on Wednesday raised its full-year top-line outlook as the UK soccer club posted double-digit growth in fiscal Q3 revenue year over year, helping it swing to earnings. Manchester United shares surged over 13%.
