01:23 PM EST, 12/26/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks edged higher in Thursday afternoon trading with the NYSE Financial Index and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) both adding 0.1%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index rose 0.1%, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) gained 0.2%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) fell 3.7% to $95,680, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries climbed 2.8 basis points to 4.62%.

In economic news, US initial jobless claims last week fell to 219,000 from 220,000 in the previous week, compared with expectations for an increase to 223,000 in a survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg.

In corporate news, KKR (KKR) and Bain Capital each offered over $5 billion in first-round bids for the non-core assets of Japan's Seven & i Holdings, Reuters reported Wednesday. KKR shares fell 0.3%.