03:26 PM EDT, 09/20/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were decreasing in late Friday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index down 0.4% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) shedding 0.5%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was falling 2%, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) was decreasing 0.4%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was steady at $62,944, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was easing 1 basis point to 3.73%.

In economic news, state-level data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Friday showed the unemployment rate rose in six states and the District of Columbia in August, and fell in one state while holding steady elsewhere.

In corporate news, B. Riley Financial ( RILY ) is in talks with Stifel Financial ( SF ) for the sale of its wealth management business for over $100 million, Reuters reported Friday. B. Riley shares rose 1.6% while Stifel was down 0.4%.