03:28 PM EDT, 10/02/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks eased in late Wednesday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) both down 0.1%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index dropped 1.1%, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) dropped 0.6%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) fell 0.5% to $60,787, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries rose 4.2 basis points to 3.785%.

In economic news, ADP's monthly measure of private payrolls showed a 143,000 increase in September, above expectations compiled by Bloomberg for a 125,000 gain.

Mortgage applications fell 1.3% in the week ended Friday because of a uptick in mortgage rates, Mortgage Bankers Association data showed.

In corporate news, Jefferies Financial ( JEF ) is in talks with investors for $1 billion in financing support for a potential buyout of industrial manufacturer Form Technologies by Ares Management ( ARES ) , Bloomberg reported. Jefferies shares rose 0.8%, and Ares gained 1.2%.