Financial stocks were advancing in Wednesday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index rising 1.3% and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) adding 0.5%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was climbing 1.9%, and the State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLRE) was up 1.5%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was increasing 0.7% to $81,508, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was shedding 6.2 basis points to 4.35%.

In corporate news, Synchrony Financial (SYF) and Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS) said Wednesday they are relaunching their credit card program. Synchrony shares rose 1.2%.