Stocks of golf equipment makers Acushnet and Topgolf Callaway rise again, as PGA-LIV merger makes golf more interesting

Shares of golf equipment makers Acushnet Holdings Corp.
GOLF,
+3.76%
and Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
MODG,
+1.50%
rallied for a second-straight day toward one-month highs Wednesday, in the wake of the shock announcement that The PGA Tour, Europe’s DP World Tour and the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf circuit have agreed to merge. The stocks have been rising because as Jefferies analyst Randal Konik said, the merger has made the game of golf a little more interesting. “The recent announcement has undoubtedly caught the golf industry by surprise,” Konik wrote in a note to clients. “However, we believe that this unexpected agreement holds immense potential to elevate the sport of golf to new heights.” Acushnet’s stock advanced 1.0% in afternoon trading, after being driven up 4.5% on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Topgolf Callaway shares climbed 3.2% on Wednesday, after jumping 5.5% on Tuesday. In comparison, the S&P 500
SPX,
-0.38%
slipped 0.4% on Wednesday, after edging up 0.2% the day before.