03:26 PM EDT, 10/17/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were advancing in late Thursday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index up 0.2% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) adding 0.3%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) were both down 0.5%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was declining 1% to $66,925, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries spiked 8 basis points to 4.10%.

In economic news, US retail sales rose by 0.4% in September, versus the 0.3% increase expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg and the previous month's 0.1% gain.

The seasonally adjusted number of initial jobless claims fell by 19,000 to 241,000 in the week ended Oct. 12, the Department of Labor said Thursday. The consensus was for a 258,000 level in a survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg.

In corporate news, Webster Financial ( WBS ) shares jumped past 11% in recent Thursday trading after reporting Q3 results.