Sector Update: Financial

Financial stocks were advancing in Thursday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) each adding 0.5%.The Philadelphia Housing Index was climbing 1.6%, and the State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLRE) was up 1.5%.Bitcoin (BTC-USD) rose 2% to $72,484, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was decreasing 2.8 basis points to 4.26%.In corporate news, Ares Management (ARES) on Thursday agreed to acquire and take private real estate investment trust Whitestone REIT (WSR) in an all-cash deal worth about $1.7 billion. Ares shares were down 0.2%, and Whitestone jumped 11%.

-- Financial stocks were advancing in Thursday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) each adding 0.5%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was climbing 1.6%, and the State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLRE) was up 1.5%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) rose 2% to $72,484, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was decreasing 2.8 basis points to 4.26%.

In corporate news, Ares Management (ARES) on Thursday agreed to acquire and take private real estate investment trust Whitestone REIT (WSR) in an all-cash deal worth about $1.7 billion. Ares shares were down 0.2%, and Whitestone jumped 11%.