01:41 PM EST, 01/08/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were mixed in Wednesday afternoon trading with the NYSE Financial Index easing 0.1% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) up 0.1%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index added 0.8%, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) gained 0.1%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) fell 2.4% to $94,618, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries edged higher to 4.69%.

In economic news, US initial jobless claims last week unexpectedly fell to 201,000, the lowest since February, versus expectations for an increase to 215,000 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

ADP's monthly measure of private payrolls showed a 122,000 increase in December, missing forecasts for a 139,000 increase in a poll compiled by Bloomberg and below the 146,000 reported in November.

In corporate news, BlackRock ( BLK ) is cutting 1% of its workforce as part of efforts to realign resources, Bloomberg reported, citing an internal memo from President Rob Kapito and Chief Operating Officer Rob Goldstein. BlackRock ( BLK ) shares rose 0.1%.