08:49 AM EST, 12/20/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were leaning lower pre-bell Friday, with The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) down 0.2%.

The Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was down 0.4% and its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) was 0.9% higher.

Primis Financial ( FRST ) said its board approved a stock repurchase program for up to 740,600 of its outstanding common stock, effective immediately through Dec. 19, 2025. Primis Financial ( FRST ) shares were down more than 4% premarket.