Consumer companies ticked down as traders awaited earnings in the sector.

Shares of San Francisco high-end home-goods store Williams Sonoma and discounter Dollar Tree rose ahead of their earnings reports.

"Retailers might provide further evidence on the outlook for the economy both on the lower and higher socioeconomic front, and a glimpse into inflationary pressures," said J.D. Joyce, president of Houston financial advisory Joyce Wealth Management. "It's more for the Fed to take into consideration: are consumers holding back at the low end, or holding back at the high end?"

Choice Hotels International said it's abandoning its attempted $7 billion takeover of rival Wyndham Hotels & Resorts after attempting to drive a deal through despite being rebuffed by Wyndham's board.

Investment firm Standard General offered to buy casino chain Bally's for about $684 million, less than half of the hedge fund's prior bid for the company.

Advance Auto Parts shares rallied after activist hedge fund Third Point disclosed a substantial stake, and said negotiations with the company that will add three new directors to its board were proceeding well.


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

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

03-11-24 1700ET