03:53 PM EDT, 08/21/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were edging lower in late Wednesday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index fractionally lower and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) off 0.2%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index gained 2.4%, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) was up 0.4%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) rose 3.4% to $60,843, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries shed 4 basis points to 3.78%.

In corporate news, Blackstone (BX) is in talks to acquire the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa in Florida from Westmont Hospitality for $200 million, Bloomberg reported. Blackstone shares rose 1.3%.

B. Riley Financial ( RILY ) shares surged past 47%. The company is in talks to sell a majority stake in two of its businesses to Oaktree Capital, Bloomberg reported Wednesday.

Franklin Resources' ( BEN ) Western Asset Management said Wednesday that co-Chief Investment Officer Ken Leech is taking an immediate leave of absence amid internal and external probes into past trade allocations. The shares tumbled nearly 13%.

BlackRock ( BLK ) trimmed its support for shareholder proposals tied to environmental, social and governance issues in the most recent annual general meeting season, Reuters reported. BlackRock ( BLK ) shares were adding 0.1%.