Consumer companies rose amid deal activity and strong sentiment data.
Home Depot agreed to buy roofing-materials distributor SRS Distribution in an $18.25 billion bet on the revival of the housing boom.
In a good sign for property market activity, furniture retailer RH forecast customer demand would pick up this year as interest rates ease.
The final reading of consumer sentiment from a University of Michigan survey in March rose to a 32-month high of 79.4, as Americans expressed more confidence that inflation would ease and reduce the financial strain on households.
German retail sales fell 1.9% on month in February, adjusted for seasonal and calendar effects, a fourth month of declining sales, according to data from statistics agency Destatis.
Discount chain Walmart said it would refile the paperwork related to its $2.3 billion deal to acquire television maker Vizio.
Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
03-28-24 1730ET
