Sector Update: Financial Stocks Decline Late Afternoon

03:57 PM EDT, 08/15/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks retreated in late Friday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index decreasing 0.6% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) shedding 0.9%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was fractionally lower, with the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) added 0.6%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was down 0.9% to $117,275, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries gained 3.5 basis points to nearly 4.33%.

In economic news, US retail sales rose 0.5% in July sequentially following an upwardly revised 0.9% rise in June, according to the Census Bureau. The consensus compiled by Bloomberg called for a 0.6% gain.

The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index fell to 58.6 in August from 61.7 in July, surprising analysts anticipating an increase to 62, according to a Bloomberg survey.

In corporate news, Citigroup (C) is considering options to provide stablecoin custody and other services, Reuters reported, quoting Biswarup Chatterjee, global head of partnerships and innovation for Citi's services division. Separately, the bank has been pitching to investors a potential deal to help Ukraine fund its reconstruction, Bloomberg reported. Citi was down 1.6%.

A consortium led by BlackRock's (BLK) Global Infrastructure Partners signed an $11 billion deal with Saudi Aramco's Jafurah gas processing facilities to create a midstream gas unit for leaseback arrangements. BlackRock (BLK) shares shed 2%.

Goldman Sachs (GS) is offering clients stakes in Millennium Management starting at $1 million, Bloomberg reported. Goldman shares fell 2.1%.

FS Bancorp (FSBW) said Friday it named Matthew Mullet president and CEO of 1st Security Bank of Washington, starting Sept. 1. FS Bancorp (FSBW) is the holding company for 1st Security Bank. FS Bancorp (FSBW) shares declined 2.9%.

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