: Western Digital stock leads S&P 500 gainers on Kioxia merger report

Western Digital Corp. WDC shares led gainers on the S&P 500 index SPX Monday after a report said inventory problems are hastening merger talks between the data-storage company and Japan-based partner Kioxia Holdings Corp. Western Digital shares surged 12% Monday after Reuters reported that inventory problems are prompting the two to consolidate against larger players like Samsung Electronics Co. KR:005930. The final company would be 43% owned by Kioxia, 37% owned by Western Digital, and the rest by existing shareholders in both companies, according to Reuters, citing unidentified sources close to talks.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.