01:48 PM EDT, 09/15/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were mixed in Monday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index up 0.2% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) fractionally lower.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was falling 1.2%, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) was easing 0.2%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was declining 0.7% to $114,878, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was shedding 3 basis points to 4.03%.

In economic news, the New York Federal Reserve's Empire State manufacturing index fell to minus 8.7 in September from 11.9 in August, compared with a smaller expected decrease to a reading of 5.0 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg. The Empire State index is one of the first manufacturing sector readings for September and suggests a return to contraction after two months of expansion.

In regulatory news, the US Securities and Exchange Commission is taking steps to soften an aggressive enforcement agenda against companies, the Financial Times reported, citing Chair Paul Atkins. The SEC boss also told the newspaper in an interview he's aiming to fulfill President Donald Trump's promise to make the US the cryptocurrency capital of the world.

In corporate news, Blackstone (BX) agreed to buy a natural gas power plant in Western Pennsylvania from private investment firm Ardian for about $1 billion amid growing electricity demand for AI technologies. Blackstone shares gained 1.3%.

UBS (UBS) is considering moving its headquarters from Switzerland to the US amid onerous new capital requirements proposed by Swiss regulators, the New York Post reported Saturday. UBS shares were rising 2.3%.

Goldman Sachs ( GS ) and T. Rowe Price ( TROW ) are planning to offer new alternative investments for retirement accounts, Reuters reported, citing executives of the companies. Goldman shares rose 0.8% and T. Rowe was shedding 0.1%.

BBVA (BBVA) should significantly raise its takeover offer for Banco Sabadell if it wants it to be considered, Bloomberg reported, citing Sabadell Chair Josep Oliu. BBVA shares were up 0.8%.