Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Rise Thursday Afternoon

01:35 PM EDT, 10/15/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Consumer stocks were higher Thursday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) rising 1.1% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) adding 1.4%. In corporate news, Penske Automotive (PAG) has agreed to be taken private by Penske and Mitsui, its two largest shareholders, in a merger deal that values the company at about $16.3 billion. Penske Automotive shares jumped past 8%. Kimberly-Clark (KMB) shares gained 4% after it reported lower preliminary Q3 adjusted earnings and net sales that still exceed analysts' expectations. CarGurus (CARG) is facing a lawsuit by the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection for allegedly deceiving customers by advertising reduced prices with hidden additional fees, the agency said Thursday. Its shares were up 2.1%.