03:49 PM EST, 12/23/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were higher in late Monday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index adding 0.1% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) increasing 0.2%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was up 0.1%, while the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) advanced 0.3%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) declined 2.7% to $92,593, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries rose 8 basis points to 4.60%.

In economic news, the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank's monthly National Activity Index increased to a reading of minus 0.12 in November, as expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

US new-home sales accelerated to a 664,000 annual rate in November from an upwardly revised 627,000 rate in October, lower than the 670,000 rate expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

In corporate news, Rocket (RKT) unit Rocket Homes Real Estate was sued by the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for allegedly paying kickbacks to real estate brokers and agents so they could steer prospective borrowers to Rocket Mortgage, the regulator said Monday. Rocket shares fell 4.3%.

Innovative Industrial Properties ( IIPR ) shares dropped 4.6% after BTIG Research downgraded the company's stock to neutral from buy.

MetLife ( MET ) shares added 0.1% after its MetLife Investment Management unit agreed to buy PineBridge Investments from Pacific Century Group for up to $1.2 billion.

Bank of America ( BAC ) has been issued a cease-and-desist order by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for violations of its Bank Secrecy Act and sanctions compliance programs, the regulator said Monday. Bank of America ( BAC ) shares fell 1%.