-- Consumer stocks were higher late Wednesday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) up 0.3% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) rising 1.8%.
In corporate news, Uber (UBER) on Wednesday issued a bookings growth outlook that surpassed Wall Street's estimates, while the ride-hailing company's Q1 profit grew year-on-year. Uber shares popped 9.5%.
Walt Disney's (DIS) fiscal Q2 results came in ahead of market estimates amid revenue gains across all business operations, while the media and entertainment giant reiterated its expectations for growth to accelerate in H2. Its shares climbed past 7%.
Sony Group's (SONY) Sony Music is nearing a deal to acquire a music catalog including works by artists such as Justin Bieber and Neil Young from Blackstone (BX), Bloomberg reported. Sony is in discussions to acquire Recognition Music through a joint venture with Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC, which will pay from $3.5 billion to $4 billion, the report said. Sony Group shares added 3%.
Restaurant Brands International's (QSR) Q1 earnings and revenue topped Wall Street's estimates Wednesday, while the restaurant operator's comparable sales growth was in line with consensus. Its shares were down 5%.