Retail rejoices: Restaurant stocks, leisure names, and e-commerce players rally

Retail-focused stocks rallied as investors reacted to Middle East news suggesting U.S. gas prices could retreat from near-record levels, lifting restaurant, leisure and e-commerce names. Sector ETFs and select retailers advanced intraday, with several individual stocks posting double-digit percentage gains. The move appeared driven by shifting energy risk sentiment rather than company-specific fundamentals, providing a near-term boost to cyclical consumer names and supporting broader risk appetite for equities.