 Shares of Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc. SPB, 17.07 rose 0.6 in midday trading Wednesday, after the branded consumer brands company announced an agreement to sell its hardware and home improvement HHI business for 4.3 billion in cash to Sweden-based ASSA ABLOY. Spectrum Brands expects receive net proceeds of 3.5 billion from the deal, which it plans to use to repay debt. 