Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Gain Late Afternoon

03:53 PM EST, 11/04/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Consumer stocks were higher late Wednesday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) rising 3.6% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) adding 4.4%. In corporate news, McDonald's (MCD) reported Q3 earnings and comparable sales growth above market expectations, while its US same-store sales turned positive in September amid the fast-food giant's focus on value-driven initiatives. Its shares rose 6.3%. Helen of Troy (HELE) shares surged 27% after the firm said its board unanimously rejected Empower Brands' non-binding acquisition proposal of $37 per share in cash. Uber (UBER) reported Q3 results above consensus estimates on Wednesday, although the ride-hailing platform issued a gross bookings outlook for the ongoing three-month period just below expectations at the midpoint. Its shares advanced 5.2%. Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT) shares were falling 24% after Democrats took control of the US Senate and House of Representatives in the midterm elections. Smurfit Westrock (SW) was issued a subpoena by the US Department of Justice on Sept. 22 in connection with a grand jury investigation in the Northern District of Illinois regarding the pricing and sale of containerboard and related products, the company said in a regulatory filing Wednesday. Its shares were up 4%.