Sector Update: Consumer Stocks Higher Wednesday Afternoon

01:54 PM EST, 11/04/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Consumer stocks gained Wednesday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) rising 3.5% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) adding 4.7%. 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%. Helen of Troy (HELE) shares surged 24% 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 climbed up 7%. Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT) shares were falling 16% after Democrats took control of the US Senate and House of Representatives in the midterm elections.