01:53 PM EDT, 10/04/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were advancing in Friday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index rising 1% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) adding 1.3%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was falling 1.8%, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) was down 0.7%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was increasing 2.3% to $62,129, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries spiked 11 basis points to 3.97%.

In economic news, nonfarm payrolls climbed by 254,000 in September, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. The consensus was for a 150,000 increase in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

In corporate news, a group of B. Riley Financial ( RILY ) brokers stationed at its Wealth's branch office in Florida left this week amid concerns that the company's asset sales would eventually impact their segment, Bloomberg reported. B. Riley shares were falling nearly 5%.

PayPal ( PYPL ) has completed the first business payment using its PYUSD stablecoin via an invoice sent to Ernst & Young on Sept. 23, Bloomberg reported. PayPal ( PYPL ) shares were adding 2.6%.

Beneficient (BENF) shares surged more than 53% after the company said its subsidiary Beneficient Co. Holdings completed a deal to convert $126 million of its preferred equity into permanent equity, which is expected to be reflected on its balance sheet as of Sept. 30.