Consumer companies rose after inflation data and mixed earnings.
The muted inflation data spurred bets that the Federal Reserve would continue cutting interest rates, likely bringing mortgage rates down. Lower mortgage rates failed to stir up demand in the latest home-sales, however.
Darden Restaurants shares rose after the owner of Olive Garden and other casual-dining chains reported higher fiscal second-quarter sales and profit, as strong demand offset higher beef prices.
Lululemon Athletica shares rallied, paring losses for the year after activist investment firm Elliott Management acquired a significant stake in the yogawear chain.
Separately, Elliott is weighing a deal that would merge bookseller Barnes & Noble and U.K. book chain Waterstones and floating the new entity in an initial-public offering.
In the latest sign of an ailing used-car market, CarMax shares fell after the dealership posted a drop in quarterly sales and said it was cutting prices to lure buyers back.
Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
12-18-25 1742ET
