<div id="readability-page-1">03:52 PM EST, 12/23/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were higher in late Tuesday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index adding 0.3% and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) up 0.2%.The Philadelphia Housing Index shed 0.4%, and the State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLRE) eased 0.1%.Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was declining 0.8% to $87,793, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was steady at about 4.17%.In economic news, the US economy grew at an annual rate of 4.3% in Q3, the fastest pace in two years, amid robust consumer spending, according to an initial estimate released Tuesday by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The consensus was for 3.3% jump in a Bloomberg-compiled survey.Demand for US durable goods declined more than expected in October, weighed down by double-digit drops in the civilian and defense aircraft segments, according to the delayed Census Bureau data. Orders for tangible items with an average life of at least three years decreased by 2.2% sequentially to about $307.38 billion two months ago, the Census Bureau said. That follows a month-on-month gain of 0.7% in September. The consensus was for a 1.5% decline in October, as per a survey compiled by Bloomberg.In corporate news, Citigroup ( C ) plans to boost its investment banking division in Japan by about 30% by H1 of 2026, Bloomberg reported, citing an interview with Japan Vice Chair Masuo Fukuda. Citi shares rose 1.2%.Aflac ( AFL ) said a cyberattack disclosed earlier this year exposed the personal and sensitive health information of 22.65 million people, TechCrunch reported Tuesday, citing filings with attorneys general in Texas and Iowa. Aflac ( AFL ) shares were up 0.8%.KKR-backed (KKR) FiberCop alleged in a legal challenge that Infratel Italia offered special treatment to its rival Open Fiber in the country's $4.7 billion fiber rollout, Bloomberg reported. KKR shares decreased 0.3%.Blackstone (BX) said it has agreed to acquire Hamilton Island in Queensland, Australia, from the Oatley family. Blackstone shares eased 0.3%. MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.</div>

Financial stocks rose in late afternoon trading, with NYSE Financial Index up 0.3%. US economy grew 4.3% in Q3, exceeding expectations. Citigroup plans to expand investment banking in Japan by 30% by mid-2026. Aflac disclosed a cyberattack affecting 22.65 million people. KKR-backed FiberCop challenged Infratel Italia's treatment of Open Fiber. Blackstone agreed to acquire Hamilton Island in Australia.

Sector Update: Financial Stocks Rise Late Afternoon