01:59 PM EST, 01/23/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks advanced in Thursday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index rising 0.7% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) up 0.6%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was little changed, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) added 0.3%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) increased 2.1% to $105,857, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries rose 4.5 basis points to 4.64%.

In economic news, US initial jobless claims last week rose to 223,000 from 217,000 in the previous week, compared with expectations for 220,000 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

In sector news, insured losses from the Palisades and Eaton wildfires in California will be close to $28 billion, Karen Clark & Co. said.

In corporate news, HomeTrust Bancshares ( HTBI ) shares rose over 3% after the company reported Q4 earnings and revenue rose from a year ago that also surpassed market expectations.

Synchrony Financial ( SYF ) shares increased 0.2%. The firm said it signed a multiyear extension of its more than three-decade credit card partnership with Sam's Club.

Fiserv ( FI ) said it has named Michael Lyons as president and chief executive-elect, effective Jan. 27. Its shares were down 1.3%.