03:59 PM EDT, 10/23/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks rose in late Thursday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index increasing 0.2% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) adding 0.3%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index rose 0.7%, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) was up 0.1%

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) increased 2.1% to $110,530, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries rose 4.6 basis points to 4%.

In economic news, existing home sales in the US rose in line with market estimates last month amid declining mortgage rates and improving affordability and inventory, data from the National Association of Realtors showed. Sales increased 1.5% sequentially to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.06 million units in September, in line with the Bloomberg consensus.

In corporate news, Principal Financial Group ( PFG ) shares rose 0.6% after Morgan Stanley said Thursday in a report that the company has a more attractive valuation and fewer downside risks clouding its business outlook. Morgan Stanley upgraded the financial services company's stock to equal weight from underweight, and raised its price target to $81 from $80.

Blackstone (BX) shares fell 4% after the company reported lower-than-expected Q3 revenue.

TransUnion ( TRU ) shares climbed 4.6% after the company raised its 2025 guidance following stronger-than-expected Q3 results.