01:39 PM EDT, 08/27/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were advancing in Tuesday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index up 0.4% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) ahead 0.5%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was falling 1%, while the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) was 0.2% higher.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was declining 2% to $61,658, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was rising 2 basis points to 3.84%.

In economic news, the Conference Board's measure of consumer confidence rose to 103.3 in August from 101.9 in July, above a reading of 100.8 expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

The Case-Shiller National Home Price index rose 0.5% in June before seasonal adjustment, a slower rate than a 0.9% gain in May. The 20-city reading rose 0.6%, versus a 0.3% gain expected by analysts in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

In corporate news, CrossFirst Bankshares ( CFB ) agreed to merge with First Busey (BUSE) in an all-stock deal valued at $916.8 million, the lenders said in a joint statement Tuesday. CrossFirst shares were falling 2% and First Busey was down 0.8%.