03:48 PM EDT, 03/19/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks advanced in late Tuesday afternoon trading with the NYSE Financial Index rising 0.3% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) up 0.4%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index climbed 1.5% and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) eased 0.1%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) fell 3.4% to $65,081, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries dropped 4.3 basis points to 4.297%.

In economic news, US housing starts in February rose almost 11% to a 1.521 million annual rate from a month earlier, higher than expectations compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:50 a.m. ET for a 1.44 million rate.

In corporate news, Coinbase (COIN) plans to invest in upgrading its infrastructure after soaring volume resulted in trading and platform woes, Bloomberg reported Tuesday, citing Chief Executive Officer Brian Armstrong. Its shares fell 3.3%.

Apollo Global Management ( APO ) is looking to raise up to $6 billion for its third Hybrid Value Fund combining debt and equity investing, Bloomberg reported. Apollo shares added 0.1%.

American International Group ( AIG ) unit National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburgh agreed to pay close to $14 million to settle allegations that it issued inadequate insurance policies to schools, universities and companies. AIG shares climbed 0.3%.

Zillow ( ZG ) shares rose 0.6% after data showed a larger-than-expected increase in new home construction in February.