01:32 PM EDT, 09/26/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were advancing 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 adding 0.5%, while the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) was shedding 0.8%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) gained 3.7% to $65,450, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was rising 3 basis points to 3.80%.

In economic news, US initial jobless claims fell to 218,000 in the week ended Sept. 21 from an upwardly revised 222,000 in the prior week, compared with expectations for an increase to 223,000 in a survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg.

In corporate news, Accenture ( ACN ) on Thursday reported better-than-expected fiscal Q4 results buoyed by double-digit gains in new bookings, while the consulting firm anticipates earnings in the ongoing full year to grow annually. Its shares jumped 4.7%.