Financial stocks were decreasing in Wednesday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index down 0.5% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) shedding 0.7%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was easing 0.1%, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) was slipping 0.2%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was increasing 3.1% to $117,536, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was decreasing 3 basis points to 4.12%.

US lawmakers failed to make a deal to extend the government's 2025 fiscal year funding on Tuesday, shutting key services and halting data releases monitored by Wall Street.

In economic news, ADP's monthly measure of private payrolls showed a decline of 32,000 in September, compared with expectations compiled by Bloomberg for a gain of 51,000.

In corporate news, Goldman Sachs (GS), Carlyle (CG), State Street (STT) and Franklin Resources' (BEN) Franklin Templeton are looking to open offices in Kuwait, which they already count as a client, Bloomberg reported. Goldman shares were down 0.8%, Carlyle was shedding 2.7%, State Street declined 1.7% and Franklin Resources was down 2.2%.

BlackRock-owned (BLK) Global Infrastructure Partners is close to acquiring utility group AES (AES) in a roughly $38 billion deal, the Financial Times reported. BlackRock shares were down 2%.

Affiliated Managers Group (AMG) shares declined 2.3% after the company said it will make a minority investment in BBH Credit Partners, a newly-formed unit of global financial advisory firm Brown Brothers Harriman.