Banking stocks mostly advanced alongside rising bond prices in Wednesday's markets.
In late trading, J.P. Morgan & Co. advanced $1.125 to $72, State Street Boston Corp. gained $1 to $38.875, Huntington Bancshares was up $1 to $23.875, Signet Banking Corp. rose $1 to $33.25 and First Bank System improved 87.5 cents to $29.50.
The biggest loser of the day was MBNA Corp., the credit card issuer, which slipped $1 to $30.625. Pittsburgh's PNC Bank Corp. was down 50 cents to $29.125 and Integra Financial Corp., also based in Pittsburgh, was down 50 cents to $45. Chase Manhattan Corp. was also down 50 cents, to $34.