Financial stocks rose in late Thursday afternoon trading with the NYSE Financial Index gaining 0.4% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) adding 0.5%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index fell 0.8%, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) decreased 0.3%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) added 0.3% to $99,050, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was steady at 4.18%.

In economic news, US initial jobless claims last week rose to 224,000 from an upwardly revised 215,000 in the previous week, compared with expectations for 215,000 in a survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg.

In corporate news, Bank of New York Mellon (BK) and Conduent (CNDT) are launching a partnership to provide risk transfer services to support increasing transactions among corporate pensions. Bank of New York Mellon shares rose 1.9%, and Conduent gained 1.1%.

Apollo Global Management's (APO) new private-credit trading desk will concentrate on high-quality debt the company originated, Bloomberg reported. Apollo shares added 1.2%.

Fiserv (FI) said Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump as the commissioner of the Social Security Administration. Fiserv shares tumbled 5.6%.

Citigroup (C) will become the exclusive issuer of the AAdvantage co-branded card portfolio in the US in 2026 under a new agreement with American Airlines Group (AAL). Citigroup shares rose 1.5%.