Financial stocks rose in late Wednesday afternoon trading with the NYSE Financial Index gaining 0.1% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) up 0.2%.

The Philadelphia Housing Index climbed 0.9%, and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) added 0.3%.

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) fell 3.1% to $93,989, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries rose 1 basis point to 4.69%.

In economic news, US initial jobless claims last week unexpectedly fell to 201,000, the lowest since February, versus expectations for an increase to 215,000 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

ADP's monthly measure of private payrolls showed a 122,000 increase in December, missing forecasts for a 139,000 increase in a poll compiled by Bloomberg and below the 146,000 reported in November.

In corporate news, Apollo Global Management's (APO) head of private equity capital markets, Matthew Manin, left to pursue another opportunity, Bloomberg reported. Apollo shares dropped 0.6%.

H&R Block's (HRB) $7 million settlement of a lawsuit over allegedly deceptive practices of the tax filing services provider was finalized, the Federal Trade Commission said. H&R Block shares gained 0.4%.

BlackRock (BLK) is cutting 1% of its workforce as part of efforts to realign resources, Bloomberg reported, citing an internal memo from President Rob Kapito and Chief Operating Officer Rob Goldstein. BlackRock shares rose 0.2%.

Ally Financial (ALLY) confirmed it will exit the mortgage origination business and is looking at alternatives for its credit card business in Q1. The company is also looking to cut some jobs, affecting less than 5% of the workforce of 11,000. Ally shares eased 0.1%.