01:33 PM EDT, 03/14/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were advancing in Friday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index rising 2.3% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) adding 2.2%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was climbing 1.8%, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) was up 1.6%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was increasing 4.3% to $84,629, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was up 3 basis points to 4.30%.

In economic news, the University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index slid to 57.9 in March from 64.7 in February, compared with expectations for a smaller fall to 63.0 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

In other news, gold prices climbed past $3,000 for the first time on Friday as trade tensions and expectations of further US rate cuts boosted the safe-haven asset's appeal.

In corporate news, KKR (KKR) and Stonepeak Partners' deadline for a firm offer to buy UK-based real estate investment trust Assura was extended to April 11, Assura said. KKR was up 3.9%.