01:39 PM EST, 12/16/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Consumer stocks were higher Monday afternoon, with the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) increasing 0.2% and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) rising 1.3%.

In corporate news, Ford's (F) joint venture with South Korean electric vehicle battery manufacturer SK On secured an up to $9.63 billion loan from the US government for the construction of three new battery production plants. Ford shares were falling 3.9%.