Sector Update: Financial Stocks Mixed Late Afternoon

BY MT Newswires | TREASURY | 03:56 PM EDT

03:56 PM EDT, 04/29/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were mixed in late Wednesday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index decreasing 0.2% and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) up 0.1%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index was falling 1.5%, and the State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLRE) was down 0.9%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was declining 1.4% to $75,268.8, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries rose 6.2 basis points to 4.42%.

In economic news, the Federal Open Market Committee maintained its federal funds rate target at 3.50% to 3.75%, as expected, but four officials dissented, its statement Wednesday afternoon showed.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday at a press conference that he will remain on the Federal Reserve board for a period of time after his term as chair ends on May 15, noting the recent attacks on the Fed and saying that "the things that have happened really in the last three months I think left me no choice but to stay until I see them through at least that long."

In corporate news, Blackstone (BX) is planning to integrate its growth business into a new West Coast-based unit that will focus on its AI portfolio and high-growth tech bets, Bloomberg reported, citing an internal company note. Blackstone shares were down 1.6%.

PayPal (PYPL) Chief Executive Enrique Lores told managers this week that he is reorganizing the company to make Venmo its own standalone segment within PayPal (PYPL), CNBC reported. PayPal (PYPL) shares rose 2.6%.

Robinhood (HOOD) shares fell past 13% after it reported Q1 earnings and revenue that missed analysts' expectations.

Visa (V) shares jumped more than 8% after it lifted its full-year growth outlook and reported better-than-expected fiscal Q2 results.

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In general the bond market is volatile, and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Unlike individual bonds, most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so avoiding losses caused by price volatility by holding them until maturity is not possible.

Lower-quality debt securities generally offer higher yields, but also involve greater risk of default or price changes due to potential changes in the credit quality of the issuer. Any fixed income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss.

Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.

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