01:43 PM EDT, 07/21/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks rose in Monday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index gaining 0.7% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) climbing 0.5%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was 0.1% higher, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) advanced 0.9%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) decreased 0.6% to $117,664, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries fell 7.1 basis points to 4.36%.

In economic news, the Conference Board's measure of leading indicators fell by 0.3% in June, as expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg and following a steady reading in May.

In corporate news, Wells Fargo's ( WFC ) direct lending partnership with Centerbridge Partners has arranged $2 billion in deals since the beginning of 2025, Bloomberg reported. Wells Fargo ( WFC ) shares rose 0.5%.

First Community Bankshares ( FCBC ) has agreed to buy Hometown Bancshares for about $41.5 million in stock, the companies said Monday. First Community shares rose 1.1%.

Preferred Bank ( PFBC ) shares popped 5.5% after it reported higher Q2 net income and revenue.

Ellington Financial ( EFC ) shares added 0.8% after it said Monday that it expects a sequential increase in Q2 adjusted distributable earnings.