-- Consumer stocks were higher Thursday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) increasing 0.9% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) rising 1.6%.
In corporate news, Brown-Forman (BF.A, BF.B) was approached by Sazerac about a potential transaction amid ongoing talks with French spirits company Pernod Ricard, The Wall Street Journal reported. Brown-Forman Class A and Class B shares jumped 11% and 13% respectively.
Constellation Brands (STZ) shares climbed past 7% after the company reported late Wednesday fiscal Q4 non-GAAP net income and revenue that beat analysts' expectations.
Tesla (TSLA) is developing a new compact, lower-cost electric SUV as it looks to expand its lineup beyond the Tesla Model Y and Tesla Model 3, Reuters reported. Tesla shares were up 1.2%.
Walt Disney (DIS) is preparing to lay off as many as 1,000 employees in the coming weeks, The Wall Street Journal reported. Disney shares increased 0.2%.