Sector Update: Financial Stocks Higher Late Afternoon

04:04 PM EST, 02/17/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were advancing in late Tuesday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index increasing 0.7% and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) adding 1%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was falling 1.6%, and the State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLRE) was up 1%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was declining 1.1% to $67,710, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was slightly higher at 4.06%.

In economic news, the National Association of Home Builders' monthly housing market index fell to 36 in February from 37 in January, below expectations of 38 in a Bloomberg-compiled survey.

The New York Federal Reserve's Empire State manufacturing index slid to 7.1 in February from 7.7 in January, compared with the minus 6.2 forecast in a Bloomberg-compiled poll.

In corporate news, Nicolet Bankshares (NIC) shares added 1.5% after it said Tuesday it has completed its merger with MidWestOne Financial.

Fiserv (FISV) shares jumped nearly 7% after The Wall Street Journal reported that activist investor Jana Partners has amassed a stake in the payments company and is seeking changes to help boost its underperforming stock.

eToro's (ETOR) shares surged 20% after the company reported Q4 adjusted earnings that topped Wall Street's estimates.

Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN) shares climbed 12% after it reported higher Q4 adjusted earnings and net sales.

Gemini Space Station (GEMI) shares fell 13% after the firm reported preliminary estimates for 2025 and the departure of some executives.

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