01:16 PM EDT, 10/20/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were advancing in Monday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index up 0.8% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) rising 1.1%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was adding 0.6%, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) was up 0.6%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was increasing 1.6% to $110,786, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was shedding 1.6 basis point to 3.99%.

In corporate news, HBT Financial ( HBT ) and CNB Bank Shares said Monday that they have agreed to a $170.2 million cash-and-stock merger expected to close in Q1 2026. HBT shares jumped 4%.