02:02 PM EDT, 06/18/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Consumer stocks were higher Wednesday afternoon, with the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) up 0.3% and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) rising 0.8%.

In corporate news, Hasbro ( HAS ) shares were adding 1.3%. The company said late Tuesday it has laid off about 150 employees, or 3% of its global workforce, as part of a multiyear restructuring plan.

EU antitrust regulators are set to start a full-scale probe into Mars' proposed $35.9 billion acquisition of Kellanova ( K ) , Reuters reported Wednesday. Kellanova ( K ) shares were down 1.1%.

Lululemon Athletica ( LULU ) said 150 employees in its Store Support Centers are departing as a result of changes to the company's organizational structure. Lululemon shares were falling 1.5%.