03:49 PM EDT, 10/17/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were increasing in late Thursday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index up 0.2% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) adding 0.4%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) were both down 0.6%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was declining 1.2% to $66,870, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries spiked 7.7 basis points to 4.09%.

In economic news, US retail sales rose by 0.4% in September, versus the 0.3% increase expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg and the previous month's 0.1% gain.

The seasonally adjusted number of initial jobless claims fell by 19,000 to 241,000 in the week ended Oct. 12, the Department of Labor said Thursday. The consensus was for a 258,000 level in a survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg.

In corporate news, Webster Financial ( WBS ) shares jumped past 11% in recent Thursday trading after reporting Q3 results.

Baldwin Insurance ( BWIN ) shares popped 4.6% after William Blair upgraded the company's stock to outperform.

Blackstone (BX) on Thursday reported Q3 earnings above Wall Street's estimates, while its assets under management grew. Separately, Blackstone plans to take some of its largest investments public as the recent tech-driven rally signals a return in investor interest for initial public offerings, President Jonathan Gray told the Financial Times. Blackstone shares gained over 6%.

Carlyle-backed (CG) Litmus Music has acquired the rights to Randy Newman's song catalog, which features his work for Disney's (DIS) Toy Story films, Reuters reported. Carlyle shares were rising 3.6%.