Financial stocks were lower in Thursday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index shedding 0.8% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) falling 1.3%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was up 0.8%, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) was adding 1%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was gaining 1% to $76,381, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was dropping 8 basis points to 4.35%.

In economic news, the seasonally adjusted number of initial claims rose by 3,000 to 221,000 in the week ended Saturday, according to the Department of Labor. The consensus was for 222,000 in a survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg.

In corporate news, Banco Santander (SAN) said in a regulatory filing Wednesday that its US markets unit is cooperating with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in regard to an inquiry into the use of unauthorized messaging platforms. The bank's shares were rising 1.6%.

Blackstone (BX) is among the suitors showing interest in potentially taking over Ayvens, the French car-leasing business controlled by Societe Generale, Bloomberg reported. Blackstone shares were down 0.2%.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria's (BBVA) planned takeover of Banco Sabadell is likely to face an extended assessment period from Spain's competition watchdog, Bloomberg reported. BBVA shares were rising 3.6%.