Consumer companies rallied after strong jobs data and second-quarter electric-car sales tallies.

Fears that consumer spending was set to contract following a string of soft jobs reports were assuaged somewhat after a Labor Department report showing an increase in job openings.

The Federal Trade Commission voted unanimously to block Tempur Sealy's proposed $4 billion acquisition of Mattress Firm due to competition and pricing concerns, challenging a bedding deal years in the making.

Chewy shares continued to slip as investors looked askance on a report that "Roaring Kitty" meme trader Keith Gill had taken a large stake in the online pet-food distributor.


Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

07-02-24 1649ET