01:35 PM EDT, 04/03/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were advancing in Wednesday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index rising 0.3% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) adding 0.2%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was climbing 1% and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) was up 0.1%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was increasing 1.1% to $66,225, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was steady at about 4.37%.

In economic news, the Institute for Supply Management's US services index fell to 51.4 in March from 52.6 in February, versus expectations for an increase to 52.8 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

Automatic Data Processing said employment in the US private sector grew last month at the quickest pace since July. Private employment advanced 184,000 in March, above the 150,000 increase expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg. February's job gains were revised higher to 155,000 from 140,000.

In corporate news, Mastercard ( MA ) said Wednesday "a few pricing changes" for card transactions that aren't related to interchange fees will take effect later this month for issuing and acquiring banks. Mastercard ( MA ) shares eased 0.1%.