01:25 PM EDT, 05/16/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Consumer stocks rose Friday afternoon with the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) increasing 0.8% and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) adding 0.7%.

In corporate news, Charter Communications ( CHTR ) and Cox Communications agreed to combine in a $34.5 billion deal that would better position the combined entity to compete with broadband and streaming companies. Charter shares rose 1.6%.