Consumer Stocks Edge Down as U.S. Job Creation is Expected to Slow — Consumer Roundup

High interest rates are expected to weigh on the U.S. economy, pressuring shares of consumer-focused companies, while the pace of job creation is expected to slow in September's payroll data due Friday.

Barbie-maker Mattel recently attracted takeover interest from brand-licensing giant Authentic Brands Group, The Wall Street Journal reports citing people familiar with the matter. Authentic Brands has been privately discussing an offer that could value Mattel at more than $20 a share, or around $6 billion or more.

General Motors reported a decline in third-quarter sales, as discontinued models and a diminished market for electric vehicles weighed on the company's performance. The automaker's third-quarter sales came in just shy of 671,000, down 5.5% year-over-year.

McCormick & Co. continues to operate in a dynamic environment, Chief Executive Brendan Foley said, as geopolitical volatility, elevated fuel costs and persistent inflation weigh on consumer confidence and spending. The spice maker still reported a 17% increase in sales during the latest quarter, largely due to its acquisition of a controlling interest in McCormick de Mexico earlier this year.

Keurig Dr Pepper has hired Russ Torres as chief executive of its coffee spinoff, plucking the executive from Kimberly-Clark. Torres, who has been Kimberly-Clark's president since May 2025, is currently heading the consumer-products company's integration planning for its $40 billion acquisition of Tylenol maker Kenvue.

Write to Paulo Trevisani at paulo.trevisani@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 01, 2026 17:11 ET (21:11 GMT)