03:40 PM EDT, 04/24/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks declined in late Wednesday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index shedding 0.4% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) easing 0.1%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index dropped 1.4%, while the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) added 0.4%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) fell 3.3% to $64,228, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries rose 5 basis points to 4.65%.

In economic news, new orders for US durable goods rose 2.6% in March following a downwardly revised gain of 0.7%, above expectations for a 2.5% increase in a survey compiled by Bloomberg. Excluding a 7.7% jump in transportation orders, new orders would have been up only 0.2% in March, as expected after a 0.1% increase in February.

In other news, the US Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit in a federal court challenging the Federal Trade Commission's recent rule banning companies from enforcing noncompete agreement on anyone other than senior executives.

In corporate news, Carlyle Group's ( CG ) founders and other corporate executives lost their attempt to end litigation early over a $344 million buyout of tax agreements tied to the company's public listing. Carlyle shares fell 0.5%.

KKR (KKR) has raised $11 billion for its newest global infrastructure fund, over half of its $20 billion target, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. KKR shares were down 1.4%.

B. Riley Financial (RILY) shares surged 36% after the company filed its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31 after a prolonged delay. An independent audit committee investigation confirmed B. Riley and its executives had no involvement with any of the alleged misconduct concerning Brian Kahn or any of his affiliates, the company said. Kahn was a company client who had been linked to securities fraud.

Virtu Financial (VIRT) reported Q1 adjusted earnings Wednesday of $0.76 per share, up from $0.74 a year earlier. Analysts polled by Capital IQ expected $0.55. Its shares spiked 3.5%.