01:33 PM EDT, 03/17/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were advancing in Monday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index rising 1% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) ahead 1.1%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index added 0.9%, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) climbed 1.6%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was increasing 0.43% to $83,956, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was dropping 3 basis points to 4.28%.

In economic news, US retail sales rose 0.2% in February, lower than the 0.6% increase expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg and following the previous month's revised 1.2% fall.

The National Association of Home Builders' monthly housing market index fell to a reading of 39 in March from 42 in February, compared with expectations for no change in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

In corporate news, Affirm (AFRM) shares fell 8% after CNBC reported that Walmart ( WMT ) is making Klarna the exclusive provider of its buy now, pay later loans.