-- Financial stocks were lower Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Financial Index decreasing 0.6% and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) falling 1.2%.
The Philadelphia Housing Index was down 0.5%, and the State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLRE) was little changed.
Bitcoin (BTC-USD) was increasing 1.5% to $72,873, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries rose 2.6 basis points to nearly 4.32%.
In economic news, US consumer inflation accelerated to its highest monthly reading in nearly four years in March as the Middle East conflict sent energy prices sharply higher. The consumer price index advanced 0.9% last month, its strongest pace of growth since June 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. The latest print met a Bloomberg-polled consensus view. Prices rose 0.3% in February. Annually, inflation grew to 3.3% from February's 2.4% rise, falling short of Wall Street's 3.4% projection.
In corporate news, Fair Isaac (FICO) shares dropped 13% after Barclays cut its price target on the stock to $1,950 from $2,400 while maintaining its overweight rating.