01:47 PM EST, 12/30/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were decreasing in Monday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index shedding 0.5% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) off 0.7%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was down 0.5%, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) was sliding 0.7%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was increasing 0.9% to $94,322, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was dropping 6.8 basis points to 4.55%.

In economic news, pending home sales rose by 2.2% in November, higher than a 0.8% gain expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg and following a 1.8% increase in October, according to the National Association of Realtors.

The Institute for Supply Management's Chicago PMI reading dropped to 36.9 in December from 40.2 in November, compared with an expected 42.7 reading in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

In sector news, the NYSE and the Nasdaq said they will close trading on Jan. 9 in observance of the National Day of Mourning to honor the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, while the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommended an early market close at 2 pm ET on that day for bond market trading.

In corporate news, Vacasa ( VCSA ) and Casago said Monday they have signed a definitive agreement for Casago to buy all outstanding Vacasa ( VCSA ) shares for $5.02 per share in cash. Vacasa ( VCSA ) shares jumped 28%.

FlexShopper ( FPAY ) shares climbed 6% after the company said it's expanding its lease-to-own services to new franchisees of Jiffy Lube and Meineke Car Care Centers via a partnership with PayTomorrow.

UBS (UBS) Chief Executive Sergio Ermotti said Monday that Switzerland should not set rules for its banking industry that would put it at a disadvantage, Reuters reported. UBS shares shed 0.1%.