09:45 AM EST, 01/31/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Financial stocks were edging higher in early trading Friday with the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) recently advancing by 0.2%.

The Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was 0.7% higher and its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) was down 0.7%.

Franklin Resources ( BEN ) reported lower fiscal Q1 adjusted earnings and higher operating revenue. The company's shares were up 0.9%.