01:17 PM EDT, 08/15/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were lower in Friday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index decreasing 0.4% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) shedding 0.9%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was fractionally higher, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) was up 0.8%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was declining 0.9% to $117,306, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was rising 4 basis points to 4.33%.

In economic news, US retail sales rose 0.5% in July sequentially following an upwardly revised 0.9% rise in June, according to the Census Bureau. The consensus compiled by Bloomberg called for a 0.6% gain.

The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index fell to 58.6 in August from 61.7 in July, below expectations for an increase to 62.0 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

In corporate news, Citigroup ( C ) has been pitching to investors a potential deal to help Ukraine fund its reconstruction, Bloomberg reported. Citi shares were down 1.5%.