01:29 PM EDT, 07/16/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Consumer stocks were mixed Wednesday afternoon, with the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) up 0.2% and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) fractionally lower.

In sector news, President Donald Trump told reporters Wednesday at the White House that he will send letters to over 150 countries informing them of US tariff rates, according to media reports.

In corporate news, Estee Lauder ( EL ) is planning a digital push amid the emergence of AI to drive sales growth and boost margins, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing an interview with CEO Stephane de La Faverie. Its shares rose 0.3%.