08:56 AM EDT, 06/12/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were edging higher pre-bell Wednesday with the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) advancing by 0.7% recently.

The Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 2.1% and its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) was 2.1% lower.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria ( BBVA ) is slowing hiring in its home market of Spain while it pursues a hostile takeover of rival Banco Sabadell, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria ( BBVA ) was over 1% lower premarket.